Rural Affairs and Islands Committee 10 December 2025 [Draft]
At stage 1, a range of views were expressed by stakeholders, members and the committee, especially about the long-term impact and effectiveness of the proposed changes to deer management. I acknowledge the concerns that were raised and reassure people that the Scottish Government is listening.
Amendment 74 seeks to introduce a review mechanism in relation to the operation and effectiveness of the modifications made to the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 by part 4 of the bill. It will place on the Scottish ministers a statutory duty to prepare and publish such a report within 10 years of the relevant provisions coming into force. Importantly, the review will assess the operation and effectiveness of the relevant provisions against three objectives:
“(a) protecting and restoring the natural heritage and environment,
(b) achieving the aims and purposes of deer management set out by section 1 of the 1996 Act, and
(c) improving standards of welfare for deer.”
Amendment 74 will also ensure that the review process is inclusive. Ministers will be required to consult NatureScot and
“such other persons as the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate”,
who should include landowners, land managers and other relevant stakeholders. The report must include a statement of any action that the Scottish ministers intend to take and, importantly,
“where the Scottish Ministers do not intend to take any action, their reasons for not taking action.”
The report must be laid before the Scottish Parliament, thereby ensuring transparency and accountability.
Amendment 74 will strengthen the bill by embedding a clear commitment to review and reflect on the operation of the changes to the 1996 act. It will ensure not only that the deer management provisions are implemented, but that their operation and effectiveness will be monitored. For those reasons, I encourage members to support amendment 74.
I move amendment 74.