After section 40B of the 1996 Act, insert—

“40CNational deer management and venison plan: matters which may be considered

The Scottish Ministers, when preparing a plan or reviewing and updating a plan under section 40B, may in particular have regard to—

(a)

the different circumstances in which deer are managed,

(b)

the challenges of managing deer in different circumstances including the terrain, species of deer present and cost,

(c)

the characteristics and numbers of deer present, including differences in behaviour between species,

(d)

in relation to the priorities identified in the plan, the importance of balancing social, economic, environmental and deer welfare considerations.”.