ADMG urges public to steer clear of the deer during the cold spell

The cold snap and deep lying snow across much of upland Scotland will be taking its toll on our wild deer.

Richard Cooke, Chairman, the Association of Deer Management Groups, says:

“For the first time in some years we are experiencing a continuous and ongoing period of full snow cover.

“For the welfare of our wild red deer we are urging the public to give them a wide berth and leave them undisturbed.  When the snow freezes deer have difficulty in digging down to find vegetation and this can lead to starvation and mortalities particularly amongst last year’s calves and stags depleted after the autumn rut.

“What we can all do to help is minimise disturbance as this depletes their reserves further.

“Whilst public access should be comparatively lower due to lockdown and the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 guidelines for recreation those who do head to the hills should do everything they can to avoid disturbing the deer.”

ADMG responds to article in Independent

Following a recent article in the Observer/Guardian predominantly in relation to the deer cull in England and closure of the restaurant, catering and hospitality sector with the consequent loss of a significant market for venison, and a follow-up article in The Independent which looked at the issue more from a Scottish perspective, ADMG has issued the response below to The Independent as the background/context to the headlines is often glossed over or omitted.

Sir,

Your article about wild deer and venison raises and reinforces some important issues but has omitted some crucial background detail in relation to Scotland.

When the pandemic broke in March last year the upland deer sector was in a relatively good place. Overall red deer numbers in Scotland, due to committed culling (over 22% of the population culled annually), have shown a reducing trend over the last 20 years and are now estimated to be at an average density of less than 10/sq km, the target cited in the Independent Deer Working Group’s report to the Scottish Government.

It is worth noting too that approximately 300,000 red deer share their open hill range with 600,000 breeding sheep, and pre Covid there were estimated to be less of both species on the hills than for several decades.  Impacts from hares, feral goats and other herbivores are also part of the overall picture.

We understand that culls through Deer Management Groups are being taken as planned as far as possible. The major processors have continued to collect from estate larders and have been utilising what cold storage remains available.

It is easy to over-sensationalise how a variance of the upland deer cull, if there indeed is one because of the Covid crisis, might impact with just about a month of the hind cull left to run. The facts when we know them may show that we are in a better place than that suggested.

ADMG cannot speak for other deer species in the lowlands of Scotland but numbers of roe in particular, which are not counted, are considered to be on the increase.

Crystal ball gazing right now is probably not of huge benefit and the market for venison can only reopen fully once suppression of the pandemic allows that to happen. Culling and leaving carcasses on the hill as some have suggested in the past is certainly not an option.

Yours etc
Richard Cooke
Chairman
Association of Deer Management Groups

Both The Guardian and Independent articles are available online.

‘Snapshot’ survey of 34 Scottish stalking businesses shows over £1.1 million loss on the basis of cancellations so far

Scotland’s upland deer stalking sector delivers an annual deer cull to secure the health of the deer herd, to keep deer numbers in balance with their habitat, to limit damage to the environment and reduce deer vehicle collision numbers, and to promote carbon storage.

The sector is a major player in respect of rural tourism, in a normal year generating vital revenue for remote rural areas through sporting lets to visiting stalkers from Europe and North America, providing accommodation, generating income ‘downstream’ for shops, hotels, B & B and self-catering businesses, and securing rural employment among other benefits.

A recent survey undertaken by the Association of Deer Management Groups (ADMG) demonstrates the scale to which that contribution is being challenged by restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic on travel and holiday accommodation use with 29 out of 34 businesses (85%) reporting losses to date and forecast in the region of £1.1 million.

Whilst the majority of the survey respondents reported losses from cancelled stalking of less than £20,000 a number of bigger enterprises reported far higher figures in excess of £50,000, with the highest forecasting losses of £383,500.

Richard Cooke, Chairman, the Association of Deer Management Groups says:

“Whilst small in sample, the impact of COVID-19 cuts right across our membership from those who are seeing just a few days cancelled to those whose cancellations run into weeks, and their entire letting programme.

“Only five of those who responded said they had been unaffected by the restrictions and reported no cancellations, but the message emerging is that this pandemic is hitting stalking businesses hard – and some of them very hard.

“An additional factor is that where £2.30/kg was being paid to producers for venison last year that has now dropped to an average £1/kg.  That will also have a major impact on those who rely on the venison cheque to maintain rural jobs for stalkers and ghillies, or to provide seasonal employment.

“We have undertaken this research to keep abreast of what is happening across our membership and to alert the Scottish Government to the constraints under which the sector is working. Sporting businesses generally have been excluded from Government support schemes for grants or finance and, unlike other sectors that have been granted temporary exemption, are still penalised with the burden of business rates where they do not qualify for the Small Business Bonus Scheme.  We have appealed to Ministers [see letter 16 October 2020] that this is one area that might be addressed that would deliver, at least, a small measure of assistance in this difficult time.”

New measures will “cut the legs from under stalking businesses” says ADMG Chairman Richard Cooke.

Richard Cooke, Chairman, the Association of Deer Management Groups has said that the new restrictions to stem the spread of COVID-19 particularly for accommodation announced this week by the Scottish Government will have a severe impact on Scotland’s let stalking businesses just as the stag season gets properly under way. He said:

“This really cuts the legs from under many rural businesses throughout Scotland that rely on let stalking income to fund deer management, particularly to pay the wages of regular and seasonal employees.

“The new restrictions on self-catering accommodation, requiring that only one family can stay in rented holiday accommodation at any one time, will now prevent many planned stalking visits by people from Scotland, elsewhere in the UK and abroad.

“Restrictions on vehicle sharing are also placing a challenge on the sector.

 “We undertook a survey earlier this year looking at the damage that could result from such measures and from that arrived at a figure of up to £9 million loss across Scotland’s rural sector, not including lost or devalued venison sales.

“Whilst understanding fully why these additional measures are now being put in place I will be writing to Ministers today to express what the likely effects of them will be on income for rural businesses from stalking lets, on employment and the deer cull.”

Forestry and Land Scotland out of season culling: Statement from ADMG Chairman Richard Cooke


“Forestry and Land Scotland, in responding yesterday (3 September) to criticism in a press statement by the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, stated that ADMG “supported” its plan to cull hinds and calves from 1 September.  This is absolutely not the case.  We were advised of this proposal at a meeting on 31 January and accepted that the Deer Act permits this under the general authorisation and under Section 5(6).  We responded that any early culling must be in accordance with Best Practice and should not result in the orphaning of any dependent calves. 

“While ADMG acknowledges that FLS has responsibility for protecting Scotland’s woodlands and plantations from damage by deer we regard out of season culling as a regrettable necessity which is unpalatable to many in the deer management community.  FLS is an important participant across most of the DMGs and has made an excellent contribution in supporting the development of the venison industry, but we really cannot afford to have misunderstandings such as this.”

Survey shows that Scotland’s deer stalking sector will be hit hard if let stalking is not possible this year

A survey undertaken last month by the Association of Deer Management Groups (ADMG), Lowland Deer Network Scotland (LDNS) and the Scottish Venison Association (SVA) has found that if there is no let stalking this year for stags, hinds, roe bucks or does then the 103 respondent businesses will lose in excess of £2,500,000. 

The research was undertaken to establish what the financial loss would be to those letting upland and lowland stalking given restrictions on UK and foreign travel under current COVID-19 regulations and social distancing rules, and how this might affect 2020/21cull plans.  The survey also wanted to establish how the loss of let stalking and potential changes to game dealer/ processor arrangements, which will be subject to reduced capacity due to the inefficiencies created by distancing requirements, might affect volumes of venison going into the food chain. The survey’s main conclusions are:

Loss of income from let stalking

  • The total amount of income estimated at risk of loss to 103 respondents covering > 800,000 ha if there is no let stalking this season is in excess of £2.5M.
  • However, if there is no or limited let stalking this season the deer cull plans of 57% of respondents (covering some 448,000 ha) would be unaffected.
  • Similarly, 51% of respondents also said that the loss of all or part of their letting income would not affect the volume of venison they put into the food chain.

Changes to venison dealer/processor arrangements and venison supply chain

  • 62% of respondents said however that if arrangements with their game dealer, including price, change they would adjust their planned cull.
  • Only 25% of respondents (covering 197,000 ha) said that their cull would be unaffected by both loss of let stalking and by changes to game dealer/venison market arrangements.

In a separate multiple-choice question asking what respondents would do if current routes to market were affected (such as no or restricted carcase collections, significant changes to price etc) the following responses were given:

  • 64 said that they would adjust their planned cull
  • 62 said that they would explore other outlets and routes to market
  • 15 said they would not be affected
  • 14 said they would consider leaving carcasses on the hill

Richard Cooke, Chairman, the Association of Deer Management Groups, said:

“This survey gives us some very valuable insight into the potential impact on deer management businesses if there were to be no let stalking in the coming season due to the fallout from Covid-19. 

“Our sample represents just under one third of the sector, so the total loss from let stalking being impossible can be estimated at around £9,000,000 before any impact from downgraded venison sales is also taken into account. This is of course the worst-case scenario, full cancellation, and hopefully the impact will be less if the Scottish Government roadmap out of lockdown proceeds as hoped. However, there will undoubtedly be some effect due to cancelled bookings and the difficulties of organising Covid-safe stalking with guests.  Whatever the degree, we must expect disruption and significant economic damage including potential job losses, both part time and seasonal, as survey respondents have flagged up. We must also recognise the loss to the wider rural economy from the income that this type of sporting tourism generates.

“As for venison, the processors have lost all their restaurant, food service and catering customers and may be sitting on unsold stock from last season.  While these markets should recover it would be unrealistic to expect that in the short term and they are therefore facing a situation of reduced demand and extra cost due to the need to incorporate social distancing within their processing operations.  The effect on price remains to be seen. 

“Producers should be in touch with their dealer to ascertain how best to manage the supply so as to spread the load to reduce the usual seasonal peaks. The Scottish Venison Association, supported by ADMG, is developing a recovery plan for discussion with the Scottish Government and ADMG is also working with other bodies to advise Scottish Government in the provision of advice on how to conduct deer management and other outdoor activities with social distancing taken into account.

“ADMG’s firm advice must be to take planned culls in full to avoid future problems with deer numbers but a high degree of cooperation with processors will be necessary to ensure that the venison supply chain can remain operable throughout the coming months.”

The full results of the survey are now online including a summary of additional comments from respondents.

Further information from:
Dick Playfair
Playfair Walker
Tel: 0131 445 5570
E: richard@playfairwalker.com


Coronavirus and deer management

Everyone will be aware of the current situation and restrictions on movement that are in place at least for the next three weeks.

It is vital that everyone takes steps to minimise social and business interaction to reduce the transmission of Covid-19 and, wherever possible and for as long as Government stipulates, to STAY AT HOME

SNH has made available the following guidance for deer managers:

The clear message from Government and health professionals is to stay at home unless you are involved in an essential activity. In the fight back against Covid-19 deer managers should not therefore be travelling to go stalking. Deer stalking at this time is not an essential activity and undertaking stalking does carry a risk of accidents. Responding to and dealing with any incident will put the emergency services and NHS under further pressure.

Further to this ADMG is recommending deer managers should:

  • consider whether work such as Habitat Impact Assessments, training, or other activity, even if this takes place out of doors, is essential or whether it can be postponed.
  • postpone any non-essential face-to-face meetings including DMG meetings. There are online platforms that can be effectively used for small meetings such as Skype or Teams.
  • avoid all non-essential travel.
  • avoid any activity that might, through accident or error, place additional pressure on any of the emergency services.
  • check the Covid-19 Support for Businesses, Guidance for Employees, employers and businesses and other pages for notifications of measures that could help your business.

Carcase collection from larders will be affected as processors respond to the current situation. However, the Scottish Government through Scotland Food and Drink has said that businesses involved in food supply should remain open if possible, subject to being able to adhere to two requirements:

  • safe social distancing practice.
  • normal health and safety requirements.

We will issue further updates as information is made available.

ADMG AGM cancelled due to Coronavirus

A message from Richard Cooke, Chairman, ADMG

We have been keeping a close eye on the development of Coronavirus in the UK and clearly the potential epidemic is accelerating.  That being so we have reluctantly taken the precautionary decision to postpone the ADMG AGM which was due to take place on Wednesday 18 March at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness. 

In the circumstances it is difficult to plan a new date at this juncture but we hope to be able to reschedule for the Autumn and will circulate details in due course.

It is most unfortunate that, in the middle of the Scottish Government Deer Review process, we are unable to meet, particularly as we really require to discuss the recent SNH and Deer Working Group reports with members.  What we propose to do therefore is to put on the ADMG website next week (with links through e-Scope):

  • Minutes of the 2019 AGM
  • Chairman’s Annual Report
  • Annual Accounts to 30 June 2019
  • Address by Francesca Osowska, CEO, SNH
  • The ADMG submission to Scottish Government on the DWG Report recommendations.

Also: We will also hold back the afternoon seminar in the expectation that it can be carried forward to the new AGM date.

You will also receive by post directly or through your DMG the AGM issue of our newsletter Scope and our 2019 Annual Review. These will also be available on this website or via this link .

I do apologise for any inconvenience or travel disruption caused by this relatively late but hopefully sensible decision to cancel.


Absolutely the right time for ADMG to stage its upland deer management event at Scottish Parliament

The Association of Deer Management Groups (ADMG) staged an event at the Scottish Parliament on 3 March 2020 hosted by Stewart Stevenson MSP and titled Upland deer management. The voluntary approach: rising to the challenge.

The event was held following the most recent SNH review of deer management published in November 2019, and the report of the Scottish Government appointed Deer Working Group earlier this year. A key objective of the event was to help to inform MSPs, officials and others about the significant progress made by Scotland’s upland Deer Management Groups, and the objectives of ADMG going forward.

The event was attended by around 50 representatives of the sector including DMGs, SNH, Forestry and Land Scotland, and other organisations and NGOs including the Woodland Trust (representing Scottish Environment LINK) involved in upland deer management.

L to R: Stewart Stevenson MSP; Richard Cooke, ADMG; Marie Gougeon, Rural Affairs Minister; Ross Johnston, SNH

Speaking afterwards Richard Cooke, Chairman, ADMG, said:

“This was exactly the right time to hold this event given where the upland deer sector is right now in terms of review, in being alert to the climate emergency announced last year by the First Minister and in promoting the positives to our membership going forward, and the measures that they can deliver.  The remit of voluntary deer management in our uplands is changing, and has changed significantly in the last 20 years, but DMGs are now in most cases best placed in upland areas to deliver the work on the ground to address the climate challenge – peatland restoration and woodland planting and regeneration for example – with many already doing so.

“I am grateful to Marie Gougeon MSP, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, for taking the time to come and talk to us, and also to her MSP colleagues who attended for taking an interest.  Thank you also to Stewart Stevenson for his part in making this important event happen.”

Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon said:

“There is no doubt that considerable progress has been made in Scotland with deer management plans, habitat assessment, training for recreational stalkers and protection of the public interest generally.

“We are all aware that more remains to be done to ensure that our natural environment is resilient. This event was a good opportunity to discuss the issues we face and how together we can help tackle climate change through nature-based solutions such as tree-planting and peatland restoration.

An attentive audience for the presentations

Ross Johnston, Deputy Director of Sustainable Development, SNH, who also spoke at the event, said that SNH recognised the value from progressive, collaborative approaches to managing deer and the benefits that the best performing DMGs could deliver for people and nature. Also, that SNH recognised the significant efforts made by DMGs in delivering improvements identified through the assessment process and that those SNH staff involved saw this on the whole as a positive and constructive exercise. Looking ahead he said;

“This is happening at a time when approaches to regional land use planning are being developed, post EU exit funding and future agricultural support is being considered, and when natural capital approaches are becoming more advanced. These are all potentially significant in how Scotland’s land and deer are managed in the future. Deer managers should be alert and consider making the case for support for sustainable deer management as future funding schemes are being shaped.”

Speaker notes from the event are available via these links:
Marie Gougeon MSP, Rural Affairs Minister
Richard Cooke, Chairman, ADMG
Ross Johnston, SNH

Statement from ADMG re publication of Deer Working Group Report

Richard Cooke, Chairman, The Association of Deer Management Groups, said:

“Many of the recommendations contained in the Deer Working Group (DWG) report published today concern tidying up and updating current legislation, and these are broadly welcome.

“But fundamentally this report is about further heavy reductions in deer numbers which would have a devastating effect on an important rural industry in the remoter parts of Scotland and there is a real danger if we continue to demonise deer that we overlook the multiple other impacts on our environment. Sheep for example, despite heavy reductions, still outnumber deer 2 to 1 across the hills of northern Scotland and share their habitat with deer.  Let’s also not forget the significant value of deer as an asset not least in terms of tourism and as a healthy food source.

“We also question repeated calls for a drastic cull when our red deer densities as cited in SNH’s report Assessing progress in deer management published just in November last year are now down to an average of 9.3 per sq km which is already less than the maximum proposed in the Deer Working Group report.

“The DWG report also recommends a much higher level of government intervention which will come at considerable public cost – and a great deal more engagement from SNH than there is at present. Our view is that across the upland deer range the collaborative deer management group (DMG) system under the voluntary principle is proven and working increasingly well. While other management models may be appropriate in other parts of Scotland the DMGs are a vital part of any solution. The latest SNH report to Scottish Government supports this.

“Whilst there is always room for improvement the DMG system is rising to the challenge and delivering against ambitious climate change targets where it has a major role to play, both in terms of peatland restoration and native woodland expansion for example.”

The ADMG paper Rising to the challenge outlining our vision for the future management of wild deer in Scotland’s uplands is available.