Deer forum needed ‘as a matter of urgency’

This new body will be established this year

The Irish Deer Management Forum, which has not met since 2018. Picture: Don MacMonagle

The re-establishment of a national deer management forum must happen “as a matter of urgency” farm organisations have said, as they recently raised their concerns over the spread of bovine TB.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has instructed his officials to establish a successor to the Irish Deer Management Forum, which has not met since 2018, in coordination with officials at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage including the National Parks and Wildlife Service.