Leading conservation charity, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, has called for a reduction in deer numbers after the news that the Scottish Government’s ambitious tree planting target to help combat climate change is behind schedule.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust believes that Scotland’s tree-denuded landscapes could be given a helping hand by getting deer numbers under control to encourage natural tree regeneration. 

Head of Policy for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Dr Maggie Keegan, said: “The Scottish Government has led the way in setting ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, which include a commitment to mitigating CO2 emissions by planting trees to capture carbon. 

“The Scottish Wildlife Trust believes it is especially timely that this information has come to light when leading scientists are now 95% certain that humans are the “dominant cause” of global warming since the 1950s. 

“The Scottish Government should also be looking at other innovative ways of mitigating climate change and the Scottish Wildlife Trust believes that getting deer numbers under control – where they are shown to be totally preventing tree growth through overgrazing – would be a cost effective way of sticking to their commitments.”

Click here to read the Trust's briefing on sustainable deer management.