Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026

Prospective

23 National deer management and venison plan S

After section 40A of the 1996 Act, insert—

“National deer management and venison plan S

40B National deer management and venison plan

(1) The Scottish Ministers must, within the period of 5 years beginning with the day on which this section comes into force, prepare a plan about the management of deer and the promotion of venison in Scotland.

(2) The plan prepared under subsection (1) must include—

(a) a statement of priorities in relation to deer management in Scotland,

(b) the measures and actions that the Scottish Ministers intend to take in relation to—

(i) the management of deer found in Scotland’s lowland areas (as defined in the plan),

(ii) current and emerging deer management concerns, including any species specific concerns,

(iii) the venison industry, key venison facilities and venison supply chains,

(iv) identifying financial support for deer management, including how it can be most efficiently used,

(c) data which the Scottish Ministers consider relevant to the management of deer, including deer and urban deer population information, and national spread information,

(d) any other matter relating to deer management or promotion of venison that the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate.

(3) The Scottish Ministers must review and update the plan—

(a) before the end of the period of 10 years beginning with the date on which the first plan was published under subsection (5), and

(b) before the end of each subsequent period of 10 years.

(4) When preparing a plan under subsection (1), or reviewing and updating a plan under subsection (3), the Scottish Ministers must consult—

(a) SNH,

(b) such persons as they consider represent the interests of—

(i) persons undertaking deer management,

(ii) the venison industry, and

(iii) the environmental and nature restoration sector, and

(c) such other persons as they consider appropriate.

(5) The Scottish Ministers must, as soon as reasonably practicable after preparing a plan under subsection (1), or reviewing and updating a plan under subsection (3)—

(a) lay the plan before the Scottish Parliament, and

(b) publish the plan.

(6) In this section, “venison” means any part of the carcase of a deer which is edible by humans.

(7) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations modify subsection (2) to add, adjust or remove information that must be included in a plan.

(8) Regulations under subsection (7) are subject to the affirmative procedure.”.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 23 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 59(2)