Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026

17 Right to request action where deer are not being managed

(1) The 1996 Act is modified as follows.

(2) After section 7 (control agreements) insert—

“7A Right to request action where deer are not being managed

(1) A person may request SNH to exercise its functions under section 6A or 7 if the person—

(a) believes that the grounds in section 6ZA(2) and (3) are met, and

(b) is, or is likely to be, directly affected by damage, injury, or danger of the type described in section 6ZA(2).

(2) A request under subsection (1) must include reasons for the belief that the grounds in section 6ZA(2) and (3) are met.

(3) The Scottish Ministers may, by regulations, modify subsection (2) to add, remove or adjust the information which is to be included in a request under subsection (1).

(4) SNH must, following a request under subsection (1)—

(a) decide whether it is satisfied that the grounds in section 6ZA(2) and (3) are met,

(b) if it decides that the grounds are met, decide whether to exercise its functions under section 6A or 7, and

(c) inform the person who made the request of its decisions and the action, if any, SNH proposes to take.

(5) Regulations under subsection (3) are subject to the affirmative procedure”.

(3) In section 47 (order, regulations etc.), in subsection (1), for “section” substitute “sections 7A(3) and”.