SLE welcomes improvements to Natural Environment Bill but flags ongoing deer management concerns

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has welcomed key amendments made to the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill during its passage - while cautioning that the long-term success of the legislation will depend on maintaining Scotland’s proven, collaborative approach to land and deer management.

The rural business organisation commented after the Bill was passed at Stage 3 in the Scottish Parliament this evening by 90 votes to 26 votes. It will become law once it receives Royal Assent in the coming months. 

Scottish Land & Estates has welcomed the constructive engagement from the Scottish Government and parliamentarians to seek improvements amid concerns from land managers that the Bill could undermine the long-established voluntary, collaborative approach to deer management. Thanks to a willingness to work across the Chamber and listen to stakeholder concerns, several pragmatic amendments have been voted through.

Amendments incorporated at Stage 3 on moorland and deer management include:

• Deer management intervention – an amendment from Tim Eagle MSP which removes a presumption in favour of NatureScot using its deer management interventionist powers.

• Notification and objection rights – a change via Beatrice Wishart MSP giving those significantly affected by a deer management control scheme the right to be notified and to object.

• National deer management and venison plan – cross-party amendments from the Minister, Jim Fairlie MSP, as well as Rachael Hamilton MSP and Emma Harper MSP establishing a national plan to promote venison, underpin priorities and support deer managers.

• Occupiers’ rights – confirmation from Minister, Jim Fairlie MSP, that any expansion of occupiers’ and grazing committees’ rights to kill or take deer will be subject to further consultation and secondary regulations before coming into force.

• Muirburn licensing – in the wake of the Carrbridge and Dava wildfires, the presumption in favour of alternative vegetation control methods has been removed via an amendment form Beatrice Wishart MSP which will simplify the process to obtain licences for muirburn on peatland where appropriate.

• Training and muirburn – further changes from Beatrice Wishart MSP confirming that completion of an approved training course can be a valid reason for obtaining a muirburn licence on peatland, non-peatland and out of season.

• Grouse moor licensing – amendments by Rachael Hamilton MSP include the introduction of a reasonableness and appropriateness clause in relation to NatureScot’s new power to propose a different area to that described by the applicant in a grouse moor licence application. Also, the introduction of a requirement for NatureScot to provide reasons if exercising their new power to propose a different area in an application.

There remain some concerns about how intervention powers in the Bill will operate in practice, as well as the limited reference to incentives for deer management and the intention to expand rights of occupiers and grazing committees to kill or take deer, although these proposals will be subject to further consultation and regulation. 

Scottish Land & Estates said it will continue to engage constructively with Ministers, officials and agencies as the Bill is implemented, stressing that achieving environmental outcomes at scale will depend on partnership, trust and practical support for those managing land on the ground.

Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland & Strategic Projects at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “There are grounds for optimism following late amendments to the Bill, and we appreciate the time taken by government and parliamentarians to engage with us, listen to concerns and strengthen the workability of the legislation.

“We also welcome the clarification around deer management intervention, including the removal of a de facto presumption in favour of NatureScot using their powers and the introduction of clearer notification and objection rights. Together, these changes provide greater transparency, fairness and accountability for deer managers, although a new right to request intervention voted through at stage 3 is a cause for concern. 

“The creation of a national deer management and venison plan is also a positive development. If implemented in the right way, it has the potential to support deer managers, promote venison as a sustainable and locally produced food source, and provide a clearer framework for aligning national priorities with local delivery. 

“It was encouraging to hear the Minister, Jim Fairlie MSP, push for a changed narrative around the management of wild deer. As an iconic species, deer should be treated as a valued natural resource, managed with respect and every effort made to harvest healthy and nutritious venison.

“Changes to the muirburn licensing framework, alongside greater recognition of training and competence, are sensible and practical steps that better reflect how land management operates in practice.

“Looking ahead, delivering environmental outcomes at scale will continue to depend on partnership, trust and practical support. In many respects, the Bill could have gone further by focusing explicitly on incentives rather than relying heavily on additional regulation. 

“Concerns do remain that an overreliance on intervention and enforcement could undermine the voluntary, collaborative partnerships that have delivered real progress on the ground over many years. Significant work will be required to ensure that the legislation operates effectively on the ground, and we will continue to work constructively with government and other stakeholders to secure the best possible outcomes for the environment, biodiversity, rural economies and communities.”