Scottish Parliament elections – what do the party manifestos say about shooting?

Dr Conor O’Gorman, BASC’s head of policy and campaigns reviews political party manifestos ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections on 7 May and urges people to contact their candidates.

With political campaigning ramping up in Scotland and all parties now having released their manifestos, it’s a good moment to look at what they say about shooting and conservation.

Scottish National Party

The Scottish National Party manifesto has a section on deer management. It states that “we will expand Scotland’s native woodlands through funding 18,000 ha of woodland creation annually by 2029, with at least 40% of new native woodland by 2045. To protect our native woodlands from threats we will support firm deer control incentives, implement a national deer management and venison plan”.

Reform UK

The Reform UK manifesto for Scotland promises to “support rural communities by maintaining traditional country sports” and to “stop poorly managed forestry and rewilding schemes and develop a longterm plan for planting extensive native woodlands across Scotland”.

Scottish Labour

The Scottish Labour manifesto commits to “work in partnership to deliver sustainable deer management, continuing incentive pilots and supporting community initiatives to supply venison to local markets” and “reviewing the roles and remit of nature and environment agencies, to reduce duplication and unnecessary bureaucracy so that funding and policy development is focused on protecting Scotland’s natural resources for the benefit of all”.

Scottish Conservatives

The Scottish Conservatives manifesto explains that “rather than more rewilding, we need to manage Scotland’s existing wildlife better. Deer overpopulation has caused huge problems for gamekeepers and land managers. Scottish Government legislation often makes gamekeepers’ lives more difficult, so the Scottish Conservatives would take a different approach by developing policy in consultation with land managers so we can achieve wildlife management goals”.

The Scottish Conservatives have also published a rural manifesto which includes promises to manage the deer population, promote the use of venison, pause the rollout of the muirburn licensing scheme, and to “reaffirm our commitment to field sports”. It also seeks to repeal or amend various policies and legislation that have been introduced in the past few years.

Scottish Liberal Democrats

The Scottish Liberal Democrats manifesto promises to work “with partners including land managers and environmental organisations to tackle damaging overgrazing by deer, enabling young trees to grow, supporting rural employment and boosting the low-carbon wild venison market”.

A review of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code would take place to “determine how it can better safeguard the natural environment and the rural businesses people come into contact with, while also protecting the fundamental right to responsible outdoor access”.

Scottish Green Party

The Scottish Green Party manifesto proposes to “introduce a licensing system to control the release of the millions of intensively farmed gamebirds – such as pheasant and red-legged partridge – introduced into the countryside every year, to reduce the spread of avian flu to wild birds”.

BASC’s manifesto for sustainable shooting in Scotland

BASC recently published its vision for the future of sustainable shooting and conservation in Scotland. You could use some of our key proposals if you are contacting your candidates for the Scottish Parliament elections.

BASC’s manifesto for sustainable shooting in Scotland

How to contact your candidates for the Scottish Parliament elections

The extent to which party manifesto commitments will influence the next Scottish Parliament’s policies on shooting and conservation remains to be seen, but perhaps the various statements about shooting and conservation will help inform your vote.

BASC recently hosted an online members hustings bringing together representatives from the country’s six main political parties.

BASC has also launched a website to help you easily contact your candidates for the Scottish Parliament elections and ask their views on shooting.

Contact your candidates

A few minutes to make the difference

I know we are all busy, but maybe you could spare a few minutes putting candidates on the spot at this crucial moment for the future of shooting in Scotland.

Every bit of information will help give BASC a head start after 7 May as we start engaging with the newly elected Scottish Parliament members. Thank you for your support and time.