Meeting of the Parliament 04 March 2026 [Draft]
The improved deer management legislative framework and strengthened regulatory powers that were introduced through the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill will deliver opportunities for rural communities and create significant demand for skilled workers who are able to carry out the increased management that is needed and to support nature restoration.
Expanding Scotland’s deer management capacity will be essential to supporting a sustainable venison supply chain to ensure that rural communities benefit from new business, employment and training opportunities. Reducing overgrazing pressure from deer will lower losses to forestry and agriculture, improve woodland regeneration and, importantly, help to reduce road traffic collisions, which Gordon MacDonald mentioned, and their associated economic costs to rural areas.
If we want healthy communities, sustainable food production and vibrant rural industries in the future, we have to invest now in thriving ecosystems and in the skilled workforce that is required to manage them.