This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Action on deer damage
02/05/2006
The first combined list of sites in Scotland where public agencies have joined forces to investigate and prevent further damage by wild deer was published today.
The work is the culmination of a joint approach by the Deer Commission for Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland and the Scottish Executive to address more effectively significant deer impacts on road safety and the conservation of important natural heritage designated sites.
Other areas in Scotland are also being monitored and, if evidence shows a similar level of deterioration, they too will be added to the work programme as a priority.
The Deputy Environment and Rural Development Minister Rhona Brankin said:
"Collaboration is the key to effective deer management in Scotland and I am delighted to see these four agencies sharing powers and resources to address the problem.
"We must continue to monitor areas where deer impacts cause concern and especially where there is a risk to public safety or to the conservation of some of our most important sites of natural heritage.
"These sites have been selected as a priority by the agencies on the basis of rigorous risk assessment underpinned by detailed monitoring. Where robust evidence gathered over time confirms the need, action is being taken in the interest of the public."
The 4 agencies formally agreed in April 2004 to work together to address serious deer impacts. Copies of the formal agreement and of the combined list and work programme are available on the SE web-site at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Rural/JointAction/deerhome