Deer management a priority in draft National Park Plan

Developing Sustainable Deer Management is a key priority in the developing National Park Plan for the Cairngorms and with the launch of the consultation on the Draft Plan, now is the opportunity for everyone to make their viewpoint known.

Deer are important economically in the Park and they have a significant influence on the Park’s biodiversity.  Their management in recent years has been a subject for passionate debate.  There is a need to manage deer to meet both the conservation and socio-economic aims of the Park.

The CNPA’s Head of Land Management, Fiona Newcombe explained: “The significant impact that deer can have on the natural heritage qualities and the economic benefits of stalking and venison means that deer management is a complex issue.  Anyone with an interest should get involved in the consultation on the Draft Park Plan.”

The Draft National Park Plan sets out the long term vision – 25 years – for the Park as a whole as well as the key priorities for the first five years of the Plan, from 2007 to 2012.

Some of the key aims proposed for the first five years with regards to the priority  Developing Sustainable Deer Management are:

• The public, and public policy recognise the importance of deer for stalking and for their influence on the natural heritage.
• Collaborative deer management is undertaken throughout the Park.
• There is regular and effective communication between deer managers, public agencies, communities and other bodies.
• Deer management plans are developed and implemented in accordance with good practice.
• The Park is recognised as an area producing high quality venison from land managed to the highest environmental standards.
• Information on deer is readily available to all.

Director of the Deer Commission for Scotland, Nick Reiter, said: “Deer are an integral part of the natural heritage and an important resource.  The consultation process for the Cairngorms National Park Plan is an exciting opportunity for the range of organisations and individuals involved, including the Deer Commission for Scotland, to work together to ensure sustainable deer management is developed and maintained within the Park.”

The consultation period for the National Park Plan is from April to the end of June 2006.  Following the consultation, a report summarising the responses will be prepared and the final Park Plan will be developed, with partners for submission, to Ministers at the end of 2006.  This is the first National Park Plan for the Cairngorms and although the Plan looks ahead to 2030, a new series of priorities will be published every five years.

More information on the Draft National Park Plan can be found on the National Park Plan homepage.

To get involved in the National Park Plan consultation please contact the CNPA at: National Park Plan Consultation, 14 The Square, Grantown-on-Spey, Moray, PH26 3HG. Tel: 01479 873535  fax: 01479 873527 email: [email protected]