A TOUGHER approach to dealing with landowners who are failing to manage their deer populations properly is part of a new habitat protection plan.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham announced improvements to the way wild deer are managed in Scotland, in order to help biodiversity. They include urging the deer sector and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to do more to improve deer management planning, with progress to be reviewed in 2019 to consider whether a fundamental change is needed.

Cunningham said ministers would also ensure that SNH takes a tougher approach to dealing with non-cooperative landowners, using the full range of enforcement powers it has, while an independent group will be set up to look at deer management issues including a separate panel to look at lowland deer management.

However, Cunningham added that current intervention powers would be tested before further legislative changes were made.

She said: “While some progress has been made in the management of our wild deer following recent changes to legislation and through the work of the Association of Deer Management Groups, we know further improvements are needed to minimise the costs of deer road vehicle collisions and replacing fencing, as well as reducing the environmental impact.

“We hope to address the main challenges and ensure we protect our environment and the interests of the public, as well as support the rural economy.”