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Executive Summary
1. The Joint Agency Draft Strategy for Wild Deer is the Scottish Government's strategy for the management of wild deer. It seeks to set out the high level vision, objectives and actions that are needed so that the management of wild deer benefits the environment, economy, and people of Scotland.
2. The purpose of the Strategy consultation draft was to provide a basis for anyone interested in wild deer to engage with the strategy and inform its development. The consultation period took place between 5th November, 2007, and 1st of February, 2008, and made use of a consultation questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into ten main sections, with questions specified for each section. The section headings were: (1) 'General'; (2) 'Context'; (3) 'Vision'; (4) 'Key issues to address'; (5) 'Ways of working'; (6) 'Objectives'; (7) 'Key actions'; (8) 'Implementation'; (9) 'Monitoring and review'; and (10) 'Assessing the effects of implementation'. The questionnaire contained a mixture of closed questions (box ticking) and open questions (free text). There were also opportunities to supplement each of the closed question responses with further comments, and more space was provided for further comments at the end of the questionnaire.
3. The key themes, messages and concerns in relation to the substance of the Strategy were:
i Effective stakeholder engagement is vital, including recognition and understanding of the role of Deer Management Groups;
ii The development of markets for recreational deer stalking and diversified wildlife tourism activities, and the promotion of wild deer as an iconic feature in the landscape of Scotland should be encouraged;
iii Sufficient focus on the welfare of deer should be ensured;
iv The Strategy needs to establish right balance between native and non-native deer species, address concerns over the spread of Sika and the potential for Muntjac deer to be present in the wild in Scotland, and ensure Roe deer are adequately represented;
v Mechanisms to facilitate conflict resolution are needed;
vi The balance between sustainable economic development, high quality environment, and social wellbeing objectives should be robust, aided by adequate sensitivity to the variances in local contexts across Scotland;
vii The understanding of other herbivore impacts need to improve, and due consideration to fencing as a viable management tool be given;
viii More sustained and focused efforts to improve public education of deer management issues are desirable, and these should help create a more positive image of deer and deer management;
ix Further details on tackling climate change are needed;
x Deer should be seen as an integral part of biodiversity;
xi Think through and create context specific and locally-sensitive opportunities for community participation in all aspects of deer management;
xii Awareness of road and public safety issues associated with deer should be raised;
xiii The evidence base underlying some of the Strategy's foundations may benefit from further clarification and enhancement, especially with regards to: (1) deer species distribution and population dynamics; (2) deer-related economic activities and their contribution to rural employment and economic opportunities; and (3) the relationship between wild deer and climate change.
4. The key themes in relation to the structure of the Strategy were:
i Add in timescales and cost into the action;
ii State how the actions will be implemented;
iii State what the allocation of resources will be;
iv Be clearer on how the strategy will be monitored;
v Need reassurance of longevity of the Strategy;
vi The Strategy is too complex and the overall tone of vision is too negative.
5. A total of 88 valid responses were received from individuals and organisations, representing a range of interests, 49 of which made use of the questionnaire form, while the rest (39 responses) submitted letter-only responses. Four public consultation events were also held, and informed this report.
6. Respondents identified a range of interests in wild deer: employed stalkers, recreational stalkers, land managers, community interests, non-governmental organisations, public agencies, interested individuals, food producers, and other businesses and interests. Since respondents were permitted to indicate as many interests in wild deer as they saw appropriate, 33 respondents identified more than one interest. The most common interests identified were land manager (24 percent), non-governmental organisation (14 percent), recreational stalker (10 percent), employed stalker (10 percent), and interested individual (10 percent). 50 responses were received from organisations, while 35 responses came from individuals.
7. Since a substantial number of respondents refrained from using the consultation form, the interpretation of 'closed questions' responses should be done with caution, and be balanced with open text and letter-only responses. The majority of questionnaire respondents agreed with the overall aim and approach of the strategy (61 percent of those who responded to the question), but over a quarter of respondents only partially agreed with it. There was tension between those who felt that the Strategy is too inclusive in scope, and those who argued for an even wider approach to incorporate various interests and views. There was an overall majority of respondents to the questionnaire that at least partially agreed with the vision statement of the strategy. Although most respondents to the questionnaire agreed with the Strategy's ability to achieve its environmental, economic, and social wellbeing objectives, there was a persistent proportion (around 30 percent) who only partially agreed that this was the case.
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