Land use consultancy manager calls for suspension of deer cull
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The area manager of a land use consultancy firm has joined the dispute over an out-of-season deer cull currently being undertaken by wildland conservation charity John Muir Trust (JMT) to protect woodland on its Quinag Estate at Assynt.
JMT were granted permission by NatureScot to control deer out of season and at night on their Quinag land, in a bid to prevent damage to woodland and other habitats.
But native woodland advisor Victor Clements is calling for NatureScot to suspend the licence in an effort to “create space to discuss things properly”.
Tensions escalated last week after a badly wounded stag was tracked down on a neighbouring Ardvar Estate by a stalker not connected to the charity – with the finger of blame being pointed at the Trust.
But the conservation body is strongly denying it is responsible for the injured animal.
JMT said the wounded deer was “not a result of any culling on our land” and revealed it had immediately contacted police after an “accusation was made without evidence”.
But land use consulstant Mr Clements believes that it is a sign of a greater problem.
He said: “Since the initial coverage of wounded stag, there have been other reports coming forwards as well, and the whole thing reflects badly on all of us.
"We would like to see the authorisations suspended, and some proper discussions about woodland regeneration in the area and what the evidence base is.
"My instinct is that this is nothing to do with trees at all, but a campaign that is being waged to try and deregulate deer management provisions, and to remove all checks and balances.
"There is no evidence that the wounded deer arose from anything other than legal activity, so it is not actually a matter for Police Scotland at all. There is no illegal activity in that area. Our criticism is one of poor practice resulting in welfare problems, not criminality, or lack of competence as such.
"When the FOI information comes in, we will be able to see what the evidence base for damage/ risk of damage actually is, and whether that actually exists or not. If there is no evidence, or only information of a very superficial nature, then the legislation is not being used in an appropriate way."
