Department set to publish ‘Deer Management Policy Vision’ shortly
“Implementation of the policy will commence shortly thereafter with the establishment of a Deer Forum with an independent chair,” a department spokesman stated.
The deer management policy is being developed by an Inter Agency Deer Policy Group made up of officials from the department’s forestry division, the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and from Coillte Teoranta.
The Inter Agency Deer Policy Group was established following calls from stakeholders in the agriculture, forestry and conservation sectors for a policy response to the rising deer population in some parts of the country and the impact on economic interests (agriculture and forestry) and on habitat conservation projects.
The IFA has highlighted damage to farmland caused by deer in Co Wicklow. It cited damage to crops, forests and fences. It also said the safety of farm families is at risk.
However, the Wild Deer Association of Ireland says the State needs to conduct a deer census before finalising its new policy. The group says the deer population is reducing. In September 2011, the Inter Agency Deer Policy Group published a ‘Draft Deer Management Policy Vision’ for public consultation. A total of 27 submissions were received.
