Whether it has introduced a moratorium on the use of helicopters in deer culling and, if so, whether that moratorium will be made permanent.

In my letter of 9 June tothe Deer Commission for Scotland, I specifically asked the organisation to clarifyhow the Code of Practice guidance on the use of vehicles for driving deer shouldapply to helicopters.
In his initial response tomy letter, the Chairman of the DCS has indicated that a best practice guide onthe use of helicopters in deer management will be prepared and that, whilst DCSwill continue to use helicopters in a logistical and support role in cullingand for deer counting, it will in the meantime observe a voluntary moratoriumon using helicopters to drive deer.