Conservationists call for enforceable deer cull in Scotland

Dramatic reduction in population needed to combat biodiversity crisis, say experts

A coalition of Scottish conservation groups has called for legally enforceable culls of deer to be imposed on private landowners and stalking estates, while raising the prospect of local communities becoming more involved in shooting and killing deer for food.

The report, published by Scottish Environment Link (SEL), which includes the John Muir Trust, the National Trust for Scotland, RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, argues that a dramatic reduction in the country's wild deer population is needed to tackle accelerating climate and biodiversity crises.