SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has been successful in amending the Natural Environment Bill at Stage 2 to extend deer culling rights for crofters and tenant farmers.

Currently, tenants can only act to control deer on “improved land” and enclosed woodland, leaving moorland and most common grazings vulnerable to damage. Deer move freely across these landscapes, and can cause harm to crops, woodland regeneration and livestock, as well as contributing to tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and Louping ill.

By extending the right to cull deer to all types of agricultural land and woodland which is occupied —including moorland—and empowering grazings committees, the policy will enable local communities to play an active role in achieving national biodiversity targets and reducing deer densities across Scotland’s landscapes.

Commenting, Alasdair Allan said:

“My amendment responds directly to the concerns of crofters, tenant farmers, and rural communities who face increasing damage from rising deer numbers. I would like to thank stakeholders such as the Scottish Crofting Federation for their engagement with Parliament on this issue.

“The amendment passed in committee yesterday evening extends the right of occupiers to take or kill deer to all types of land, including moorland, and empowers grazings committees to act collectively – it’s a simple, low-cost measure that supports Scotland’s biodiversity strategy and our national target to reduce deer densities by 50,000 annually. Safeguards will of course remain in place including close-season restrictions to ensure safety and welfare, and it will be important to ensure secondary legislation includes relevant health and safety provisions both regarding the shooting of deer and in the safe storage of venison locally.

“I hope that Parliament will vote to retain my additions to the Bill when it comes to its final vote.”