Dick Playfair Playfair Walker - Scottish Natural …...Partner, Playfair Walker – PR consultant...
Transcript of Dick Playfair Playfair Walker - Scottish Natural …...Partner, Playfair Walker – PR consultant...
Dick Playfair
Playfair Walker
Wish I had a picture to go with this!
Secretary of the LDNS
Executive Committee of ADMG
Secretary of the Scottish Venison
Partnership
On TAC of Scottish Quality Wild Venison
Director, Venison Advisory Service Ltd
Partner, Playfair Walker – PR consultant
with a load of experience in the deer
sector, upland and lowland
Communication!
What issues can arise and some ideas
about how to tackle them.
Today, relevant for any organisation with
land that falls within the urban fringe – or
where there are deer that will come into
contact with the public, like here …
Private estate Housebuilders/developers MOD Farms – owner occupied and tenanted Transport Scotland/ Trunk Road Op Co Pentland Regional Park Two local authorities Retail Park Other – cemetery, camp site, golf courses,
film studio …
Think about the Code of Deer Management
Anyone with deer on their ground has a
‘responsibility’ to manage them sustainably
Public bodies have a ‘duty’ in this respect.
Incursion onto private and public land or gardens – damage to trees, shrubs, plants, fruit and veg
Increasing risk of DVCs Increasing risk of wildlife crime Health risk – to people and pets Dogs chase deer!
Where the deer population is growing then these issues will become more prevalent.
Increasing deer numbers
Lack of previous or current management
Expansion of suitable deer habitat
Disturbance – such as development work
Changes to grazing pressure – sheep,
livery …
Think ahead – plan Assume that the public understanding of deer is
minimal Assume the public’s views about deer will be
mixed Assume some understand the concept of
management, some don’t Assume some understand ‘culling’, some don’t. Education, understanding, awareness are important.
Don’t want the public to demonise deer
Hang-ups about public opinion
Concern about ‘bad press’ can override
sensible approach or position on
management
Consider the consequences of inaction.
Create opportunities to make public aware of deer and deer issues, and how deer and public come into contact – before the need arises. Deer on Your Doorstep – display etc Engage with communities Make full use of information available (eg
for schools) Remember and remind that venison is
healthy food
DOYD displays are
available
Artwork is available
Can be downloaded
as pdfs from LDNS
website
This resource is available online – for students
and teachers at education.scottish-venison.info
Encourage projects, deer watching, guest
speakers, RHET education days …
Act quickly
If it requires comms action deal with it
Moving the problem elsewhere is not a
solution
There may be deer welfare issues to
consider
Try to avoid reaching the point where the
public or media ‘name’ the deer.
Deer on Your Doorstep – there to be used
Encourage people to think/talk about deer –
before deer become the issue
Education – schools, pupils, teachers, parents
LDNS website – there for everyone
www.ldns.org.uk
Other resources – SNH, FCS, BDS, ADMG,
Scottish Venison Partnership websites
Questions…