Assynt Crofters' Trust appeals to MSP for help in deer cull row
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A NORTH politician has been asked to intervene in the dispute over an out of season deer cull currently being conducted by wildland conservation charity the John Muir Trust (JMT) on its Quinag Estate in Assynt.
The cull, which is in a bid to protect damage by deer to woodland, has been authorised by NatureScot, but is bitterly opposed by JMT’s neighbouring landowners, including Assynt Crofters’ Trust (ACT).
ACT is now appealing to Sutherland MSP Maree Todd to use her influence in the hope of persuading NatureScot to revoke JMT’s out of season licence, which was granted until the end of March. The official end of the hind shooting season in Scotland is February 15.
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ACT’s Sport and Game Committee wrote in a letter to Ms Todd: “ACT and others on the Assynt Peninsula feel threatened by JMT’s actions and gravely disappointed by the support which NatureScot is providing them. We are reaching out to you for your help in resolving this issue."
JMT was praised in the letter for its work in education, community engagement and path building, but it was stated that a new “more aggressive” management structure had been put in place and as a result JMT had effectively isolated itself from the community.
It was pointed out that JMT had left the Assynt Peninsula Deer Management sub-group, shutting off the possibility of “dialogue or compromise”.
The committee laid out its reasons for opposing the cull, stating that it was futile in the long-term as any deer killed on Quinag would be replaced by deer from neighbouring areas.
Ms Todd was told that the cull would have an impact on the economy of the area and Assynt Crofters’ Trust’s North Assynt Estate where two self-employed stalkers take guests out during the season.
“Some, at least of the deer being killed would very likely have moved from our ground and can be seen as potential lost income," it was said.
ACT also voiced its concern over the potential for animals to be wounded rather than killed, particularly as JMT had been given permission for night-shooting.
In addition ACT wrote: "Finally, it is a way of life, a culture, that is being put under threat. Deer are simply part of the fabric of Assynt and the awareness of, and support for, such cultural distinctiveness is something that the Scottish Government has argued for in recent papers."
ACT has lodged a Freedom of Information request with NatureScot asking for the reasons behind granting the out of season licence to be explained in detail.
"Such licences are normally used in forestry, not on open mountainside," it said.
