Government called on to implement national deer management strategy

The IFA and wildlife groups want the Government to fast-track a proposed national deer management programme, forwarded to state authorities last year.

The IFA has called for a pilot programme conducted in Co Wicklow to be rolled out on a national basis. However, the Wild Deer Association of Ireland (WDAI) says the State first needs to conduct a deer census to establish whether the national deer herd is growing or decreasing.

IFA president Eddie Downey said: “Grass is disappearing; crops, forests and fences have been damaged, the safety of farm families is at risk and the health of their herds jeopardised. The inaction by a number of government departments on this issue up to now has been inexcusable. As the deer population continues to expand, these problems are arising for farmers in every region of the country.”