Richard Cooke, Chairman, The Association of Deer Management Groups, says:
“It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT)/John Muir Trust (JMT) statement, following hard on the heels of Rob Gibson’s call for statutory Deer Management Groups (DMGs) after his visit to the JMT property at Assynt, amounts to a coordinated campaign to put this old chestnut back on the agenda. One could also mention the Forest Policy Group’s proposal for a licensing system.
Only two years ago the Scottish Parliament, in passing the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act (WANE), took the view that the voluntary basis of deer management was fit for purpose, despite the best efforts of JMT and others to persuade them otherwise. The harking back to pre WANE opinions takes no account of the substantial process of change that is occurring in the deer sector, most notably the willing adoption of the Code of Practice for Deer Management, and the setting up of the Lowland Deer Network at the instigation of ADMG in 2011.
JMT, with its ideological objection to temporary fencing, despite itst successful use of it on Knoydart, seems determined to opt for conflict rather than working with neighbours. When it comes to the management of deer, a shared resource, an uncompromising approach is to the detriment of all, as the reaction of the Assynt community to the JMT’s stance demonstrates.
JMT refers to the increase in deer numbers over 50 years. In fact over the recent past red deer numbers have been substantially reduced by culling despite now negligible levels of natural mortality and higher calf survival as a result of climate change. They also take no account of the steep decline in sheep numbers over that period in continually referring to the degraded condition of the environment, for which they hold stalking estates responsible.
While the paper makes much of the fact that the Deer Code is voluntary, it was developed by SNH working closely with all the deer sector bodies. Deer managers across Scotland have signed up to it and are working to it. The Code is particularly valuable in guiding discussions within DMGs as to how to meet the often divergent objectives of members in a way that delivers a balance of economic, environmental and social benefits and avoids conflict. The principles which it asserts are also helpful in the development and review of Deer Management Plans in which most DMGs are presently engaged.
In suggesting more legislation to make ‘sustainable deer management a legal requirement’ JMT apparently reserves the right to its own interpretation which does not take proper account of the economic and social aspects of sustainability and it is ironic that, in calling into question the value of the ‘voluntary’ Code, JMT is apparently prepared to disregard it at Assynt in its refusal to acknowledge the value of temporary fencing in protecting fragile habitats from grazing. JMT could solve its relationship problems with the Assynt community and neighbours at a stroke if it was less intransigent about this. A regulated system would not have prevented any of the difficulties that have arisen there.
Despite being voluntary, the Code is in fact enforceable by SNH using their powers under Section 8 of the Deer Act. This could be tested should JMT or others find themselves unable to agree to the Section 7 Agreement currently proposed by SNH for the Assynt SAC.
What is particularly disappointing about this latest divisive statement is that in many DMGs environmental owners, including JMT, have been working well with other deer management interests and there has been an increasing focus on common interest and shared objectives. ADMG acknowledges that the JMT land management objectives are as legitimate as those of its neighbours and should be respected as such. It is surely not unreasonable to expect JMT to show the same respect and neighbourly consideration for those who wish to continue to manage deer for stalking and venison production and to acknowledge the employment, investment and other benefits which this brings, not least to the many visitors from within Scotland and beyond who love to see deer, one of the ‘Big Five’ species.
ADMG has attempted repeatedly to work with JMT despite their withdrawal from some DMGs. I regret that we must now acknowledge that we have failed to find some common ground.”