Public support for dealing with the 'explosion in deer numbers' say farmers after Laois meeting

Public consultation has revealed a public desire for a big increase in deer numbers to be tackled in Laois and across Ireland.

That is according to Animal Health & Welfare chair of the ICSA Hugh Farrell who said he welcomed progress being made by the Deer Management Strategy Group in tackling the deer issue following a stakeholder meeting in Portlaoise on Thursday, April 27.

“Feedback from the Consultation on the Management of Deer in Ireland conducted by the group, and which amassed more than 1,500 responses, confirms there is strong public support for dealing with the explosion in deer numbers. Uncontrolled growth in deer is not good for biodiversity, for road safety, or for farming.

“In regard to farming the link between deer and the spread of TB has been established; deer are part of the TB infection problem, and this cannot be ignored. However, the establishment of the Deer Management Strategy Group and the work it is undertaking is a signal, that, at last, after years of ICSA lobbying, there is now a government recognition that something must be done. The days of turning a blind eye to uncontrolled expansion of deer and the impact on TB are surely over.

“It is clear we need better information about how many deer are in the country, but it is beyond question that numbers have exploded. In ICSA we regularly receive complaints from members with land adjacent to forestry that deer are breaking into and eating fields clean of grass. The key now is for the group to devise an action plan and government must step up to the plate to support this with necessary funds and accountability,” he said.

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The Deer Management Strategy Group includes the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, National Parks & Wildlife Service and Coillte. It was re-established in 2023 and is tasked with developing a sustainable deer management strategy for Ireland in consultation with stakeholders.

The Department of Agiculture said the purpose of the consultation was to gather views on key issues relating to deer management in Ireland, seeking views on the impact of increasing deer numbers on a variety of issues such as forestry, animal health and welfare, biodiversity, road safety and the welfare of the deer themselves.

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Views were also sought on potential solutions and barriers / constraints to these solutions. The views of all stakeholders were sought with the aim to creating a sustainable and effective deer management strategy for both the present and future. 

Consultation began in December 2022 and ended in February 2023.