The Deer Commission for Scotland was an executive non-departmental body of the Scottish Government. It was responsible for the conservation, control and sustainable management of all species of wild deer in Scotland. It also acted as the Government's advisor on deer-related matters. The Commission consisted of 10 members, appointed by the Scottish Ministers. Its head office was at Great Glen House,

Inverness Inverness (; from the gd, Inbhir Nis , meaning "Mouth of the River Ness"; sco, Innerness) is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for The Highland Council and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands. Histori ...

, and the organisation was a member of SEARS (Scotland's Environmental and Rural Services).

History

The Deer Commission for Scotland was formed by the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996. Under section 1 of the

Public Services (Reform) (Scotland) Act 2010 A public service is any service intended to address specific needs pertaining to the aggregate members of a community. Public services are available to people within a government jurisdiction as provided directly through public sector agencies o ...

the functions of the Commission were transferred to Scottish Natural Heritage on 1 August 2010 and the Commission was dissolved.

Role

The Commission had statutory roles under the 1996 Act. These included: ''Authorisations'' which granted the power to cull deer in circumstances when they would not normally have the legal right to shoot them (e.g. if they are causing damage); and ''Statutory Returns'' which individuals or organisations have to complete to provide the Commission with details of culls performed. In addition, the Commission had a consultancy role including publishing Best Practice Guidelines and Annual Cull Targets.

Criticism

It has been claimed that the compulsory slaughter the Commission carries out has driven foreign shooters away, with critics claiming that this is 'killing' the £100 million Scottish deer-stalking industry, with so few stags to shoot that many return to their countries emptyhanded.

References

{{Authority control Public bodies of the Scottish Government Scotland's Environmental and Rural Services Government agencies disestablished in 2010 1996 establishments in Scotland Government agencies established in 1996 Hunting and shooting in Scotland Deer hunting Scottish commissions and inquiries Deer in Scotland