148.Section 23 inserts section 40B into the 1996 Act and creates a requirement for the Scottish Ministers to, within 5 years of the day on which this section comes into force, prepare and publish a plan on the management of deer and promotion of venison in Scotland. The plan must include the matters set out in subsection (2), which are:
	a statement of priorities in relation to deer management in Scotland,
	the measures and actions that the Scottish Ministers intend to take in relation to a number of issues including deer in lowland areas(20), current and emerging deer management concerns, the venison industry as well as facilities and supply chains, and financial support for deer management (including its efficient use),
	data relating to deer management, including population and spread information, and
	anything else the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate and relates to deer management or promotion of venison.
149.The Scottish Ministers may, by regulations subject to the affirmative procedure, add, adjust or remove information to be included in the plan set out in subsection (2).
150.Subsection (3) requires that the plan be reviewed and updated before the end of every period of 10 years following the publication of the first report. Whether preparing the first plan, or reviewing and updating the plan, the Scottish Ministers must consult SNH, persons they consider represent the interests of those undertaking deer management, the venison industry and the environmental and nature restoration sector, and anyone else they consider appropriate (subsection (4)).
151.Subsection (5) states that as soon as reasonably practicable after preparing a plan, or reviewing and updating a plan, the Scottish Ministers must lay the plan before the Scottish Parliament and publish the plan.
152.In this section, “venison” means any part of a carcase of a deer which is edible by humans (subsection (6)).
The Act National deer management and venison plan Section 23 – National deer management and venison plan