Freedom of Information Request - Deer Culls
Date: 24 February 2025
Our ref: SIR178973/A5014149
Information Request – Deer Culls
Your Request
- In the last five years can you outline the annual deer cull target in Scotland? (If possible, can you split this up by year).
- In the last five years can you outline how many deer have been culled in Scotland? (If possible, can you split this up by year).
- Of the deer cull incentive schemes launched in August 2024 can you outline:
- How many applications have NatureScot received for the pilot covering the north of Glasgow and west of Stirling?
- How many applications have NatureScot received for the pilot covering the south-eastern side of Loch Ness?
- How much financial support has been paid to applicants mentioned in (a) and (b)?
Our Response
We have discussed your request with our Wildlife Management Team, and provided answers to each of your questions in turn:
- In the last five years can you outline the annual deer cull target in Scotland? (If possible, can you split this up by year).
NatureScot does not set annual deer cull targets for Scotland. We do work closely with deer managers to set cull targets for Deer Management Groups at a local level.
- In the last five years can you outline how many deer have been culled in Scotland? (If possible, can you split this up by year).
This information is publicly available on our website
Of the deer incentive schemes launched in April 2024 can you outline:
a) How many applications have NatureScot received for the pilot covering the north of Glasgow and west of Stirling?
NatureScot has received 19 applications for the Central Scotland pilot scheme area.
b) How many applications have NatureScot received for the pilot covering the south-eastern side of Loch Ness?
NatureScot has received 25 applications for the south-eastern side of Loch Ness scheme.
c) How much financial support has been paid to applicants mentioned in (a) and (b)?
As of the date of your request the Central Scotland pilot scheme has paid £2,555, and the South Loch Ness scheme has paid £14,735
How We Handled Your Request
We believe you have asked for environmental information as defined in the Environmental Information (Scotland Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’), so we are dealing with your request under those regulations. To be able to use the EIRs, we must apply an exemption under section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (‘FOISA’). The Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance recommends that public authorities apply this exemption to environmental information and handle request under the EIRs.
If you would like to find out more about the access to information legislation, there is a guidance booklet available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot
