Deer Commission for Scotland
Encyclopedia
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
, and the organisation was a member of SEARS (Scotland's Environmental and Rural Services).
on 1 August 2010 and the Commission was dissolved .
In addition, the Commission had a consultancy role including publishing Best Practice Guidelines and Annual Cull Targets.
Scottish public bodies
Public bodies of the Scottish Government are organisations that are funded by the Scottish Government. It includes executive and advisory non-departmental public bodies ; tribunals; and nationalised industries....
of the Scottish Government. It was responsible for the conservation, control and sustainable management of all species of wild deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. 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
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
, 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 the functions of the Commission were transferred to Scottish Natural HeritageScottish Natural Heritage
Scottish Natural Heritage is a Scottish public body. It is responsible for Scotland's natural heritage, especially its natural, genetic and scenic diversity. It advises the Scottish Government and acts as a government agent in the delivery of conservation designations, i.e...
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 (eg 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.