PART 8Deer management

I179Review of compliance with code of practice on deer management

1

The Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 is amended as follows.

2

After section 5A (code of practice on deer management) insert—

5BReview of compliance with code of practice on deer management

1

SNH must, before the expiry of the period mentioned in subsection (4), carry out a review into the extent to which the code of practice on deer management—

a

is being complied with by owners and occupiers of land, and

b

is effective in promoting sustainable deer management.

2

SNH must, following a review under subsection (1), submit a report to the Scottish Ministers—

a

setting out SNH's views on the extent to which the code—

i

has been complied with, and

ii

has been effective in promoting sustainable deer management,

b

including such recommendations as SNH consider appropriate.

3

The Scottish Ministers must lay before the Scottish Parliament a report submitted to them under subsection (2).

4

The period referred to in subsection (1) is—

a

the period of 3 years beginning with the day on which section 79 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 comes into force,

b

each subsequent period of 3 years beginning with the day on which the Scottish Ministers lay, under subsection (3), the report submitted to them under subsection (2).