Freedom of Information Request - deer management control agreements
Date: 22 November 2024
Our ref: SIR177721/A4832926
Information Request – deer management control agreements
Your Request
1. The Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 provides for Control Agreements and Control Schemes (ss.6&7, respectively).
a) Since the commencement of the Act, how many control agreements under s.6 have been made between NatureScot (and its forerunner organisations) and landowners/occupiers?
b) Since the commencement of the Act, how many control schemes under s.7 have been imposed?
2. In January 2024, the Scottish Government launched a consultation entitled ‘Managing Deer for Climate and Nature’. We are requesting the following information:
a) Who responded ‘yes’, ‘no’ & ‘don’t know’ to questions 14 & 15 of the consultation?
b) Copies of responses to questions 14 & 15 of the consultation.
3. All correspondence and/or communication between NatureScot and the Scottish Government in relation to Deer Management Nature Restoration Orders since 1st April 2024.
For the avoidance of doubt, ‘communication’ under (3) shall include any letter, memos, email, advice and meeting minutes and notes.
Our Response
We have discussed your request with our Wildlife Management team and our response is below.
Table 1 - Control Agreements and Control Schemes
Section of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 | Description | Extent of use | Dates | Locations |
6A | Requirement for deer management plan | two | 2018 | West Sutherland South |
6A | Requirement for deer management plan | two | 2023 | Glenartney DMG 2023 |
7 | Control Agreement | 1996- 2017 | see DWG report - pp275 & 276 https://www.gov.scot/publications/man agement-wild-deer-scotland/pages/30/ | |
7 | Control Agreement | 2017/18 | E Grampian, Fannichs, Ben Wyvis, Ben Dearg, Inverpolly | |
7 | Control Agreement | 2018/19 | E Grampian, Fannichs, Ben Wyvis, Ben Dearg, Inverpolly | |
7 | Control Agreement | 2019/20 | North Ross DMG, Caenlochan & Fannachs | |
7 | Control Agreement | 2020/21 | North Ross DMG & Fannaichs, Caenlochan | |
7 | Control Agreement | 2021/22 | North Ross DMG & Fannaichs | |
7 | Control Agreement | 2022/23 | North Ross DMG & Caenlochan | |
7 | Control Agreement | 2023/24 | North Ross DMG & Caenlochan | |
8 | Control Scheme | Currently being progressed - with Scottish Ministers for final decision | 2024 | Loch Choire |
'Managing Deer for Climate and Nature’ consultation:
We do not hold this information. The consultation was established and implemented by the Scottish Government. Details of how to submit an FOI request to Scottish Government is available here.
Deer Management Nature Restoration Orders correspondence:
Our response is attached separately.
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