NatureScot has today (15 August) launched two innovative pilot schemes to financially support deer managers to control deer in specific parts of Scotland in response to the climate and nature emergencies.
In recognition that the majority of Scotland’s deer cull is carried out by private landowners and individuals at their own expense, applications have now opened for two incentive schemes that aim to support this essential management in specific areas of the central belt and Highlands.
The pilots will see qualified and eligible deer stalkers receive a payment for additional deer culled over and above the level currently controlled in the area.
Deer populations have increased in number and spread in range over the past 50 years. While they are an important part of Scotland’s biodiversity, in high numbers their trampling and browsing has a negative impact on habitats, particularly woodlands.
Expanding our woodlands is vital to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, but it is simply not possible to do this in the presence of high densities of deer.
It is estimated that an increase in the national cull of 25% or 50,000 deer each year across all species will be needed over several years to achieve the ambitious but necessary targets in the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and restore nature across Scotland by 2045.
Posted On: 19/08/2024
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