387.This section allows for further functions to be conferred on deer panels. Deer panels are appointed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) under section 4 of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 (the 1996 Act), subject to the approval of the Scottish Ministers. Deer panels are appointed for the purpose of providing advice to SNH on the subject of deer management. This section inserts new subsections into section 4 of the 1996 Act to enable the Scottish Ministers to make regulations conferring new functions on deer panels, including encouraging engagement of the local community in deer management; communicating issues regarding deer management to the local community; and, communicating the views of the local community to those involved in deer management.