S. 30 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 59(2)

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2026/6/section/30Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026enStatute Law Database2026-04-28Expert Participation2026-03-13Part 3Deer managementAuthorisations for particular activities
30Authorisation for taking or killing deer at night(1)

The 1996 Act is modified as follows.

(2)

In section 18 (taking or killing at night)—

(a)

in subsection (1), for “subsection (2)” substitute “subsections (2) to (5)”,

(b)

for subsection (2), substitute—(2)

Subject to section 37 of this Act, SNH may authorise the owner or occupier of any land or any person nominated in writing by the owner or occupier to take or kill, and to sell or otherwise dispose of, any deer found on that land during the period specified in subsection (1).

(3)

A person who is authorised under subsection (2) may only take or kill deer during the period specified in subsection (1) if the person is satisfied that a ground set out in section 6ZA(2) (grounds for intervention: damage by deer) or 6ZB(2) (grounds for intervention: nature restoration) is met.

(4)

Subsections (2) and (3) apply notwithstanding anything contained in any agreement between an occupier of the land and the owner.

(5)

Subject to section 37 of this Act, SNH may, for any scientific purpose, authorise any person to take or kill deer during the period specified in subsection (1).

.

(3)

In section 45(1) (interpretation), in the definition of “animal foodstuffs”, for “purposes of sections 18(2) and” substitute “purpose of section”.