Section 10 Emergency measures to prevent damage by deer.

This subsection applies where F1SNH F2is satisfied—

Where subsection (1) applies and SNH F6is satisfied that—

SNH shall make a request in writing to that person to that effect.

Where a request under subsection (2) above has been made to a person, SNH shall not issue an authorisation under subsection (4) below unless it appears to F7it that he has become unable or unwilling to comply with the terms of the request.

Subject to subsection (3) above, where subsection (1) above applies SNH shall authorise in writing, subject to such conditions as may be specified in the authorisation, any person who in F8its opinion is competent to do so to follow and kill on such land as may be mentioned in the authorisation such deer as appear to that person to be causing the damage or injury or constituting the danger or potential danger.

For the purposes of subsections (2) and (4) above, a request or authorisation may be by electronic communication (as defined in section 15(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 (c. 7) ), which has been recorded and is consequently capable of being reproduced.

Any request to a person under subsection (2) above may be made by such an electronic communication only if–

Where, as mentioned in paragraph (a)(iii) of subsection (1) above, deer constitute a danger or potential danger to public safety, and, in the opinion of SNH or the person authorised by F10it under subsection (4) above, the killing of the deer would itself constitute a potential danger to public safety, the person so authorised by SNH shall instead take and remove the deer from the land in question by such means as are appropriate.

An authorisation under subsection (4) above shall remain in force from the date on which it is issued for such period, not exceeding twenty eight days, as may be specified in the authorisation.

Where SNH—

F13it shall as soon as practicable give to that person such warning of F14its intention as F15it considers necessary to prevent danger to him.

SNH shall give to the owner of any land which is to be mentioned in an authorisation under subsection (4) above such notice of F16its intention to issue such an authorisation as may be practicable.

Without prejudice to section 16 of this Act, any notice to be served under subsection (7) or (8) above on an owner of land shall, where an agent or employee is responsible for the management or farming of the land, be duly served if it is served on the said agent or employee.

Where any deer has been killed or taken and removed from land under an authorisation granted by SNH under subsection (4) above, SNH shall have power to dispose of it by sale or otherwise.