BASC secures amendments and keeps pressure on as mandatory training passes in Natural Environment Bill

Following the Scottish Parliament’s final Stage 3 debate on the Natural Environment Bill, BASC has secured a series of important amendments following sustained engagement with MSPs, while warning that the passing of mandatory deer training remained a significant concern.

BASC welcomed a ministerial commitment from Jim Fairlie MSP to engage directly with the deer sector before implementation, following sustained pressure from BASC, stressing that the absence of timescales and clarity on grandfather rights meant the issue was far from resolved.

BASC was the only major organisation to consistently champion a self-regulatory approach, reflecting the high standards of deer management already demonstrated by its members.

During the Stage 3 debate, Edward Mountain MSP, drawing on decades of experience in deer management, set out detailed concerns about the Scottish Government’s proposals, questioning their evidential basis and practical impact on those managing deer on the ground.

BASC worked closely with MSPs throughout Stage 3 to challenge the introduction of mandatory training, as the only deer organisation championing self-regulation, warning that a one-size-fits-all approach risked overlooking existing professional standards and long-established best practice within the sector.

BASC also secured a series of important amendments to the bill through sustained engagement with MSPs.

• On intervention powers, the presumption in favour of NatureScot using its deer management intervention powers was removed.
• On venison, there will be a new venison plan linked to deer management, which introduce financial incentives and the promotion of venison.
• On grouse moor licensing, BASC secured technical amendments aimed at improving the workability and effectiveness of the licensing process for applicant, ensuring vital safeguards.
• On muirburn, following BASC stage 2 amendments, the sector secured amendment which removes the assumption that other vegetation control methods must be tried before muirburn, a key ask of BASC at the Ministerial Wildfire Summit in Grantown.
• After significant lobbying, proposals to introduce restrictions on gamebird release were off the voting sheet at Stage 3, and we thank the Scottish Government for listening to our economic and natural capital evidence on this issue.