This is the culmination of several months’ work of the strategy group. The development of the report involved a thorough process including a public consultation, stakeholder meetings and stakeholder sub-committees which led to the formation of a series of recommendations, which the group has presented to Government ministers.
Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, Martin Heydon welcomed the news saying: “For agriculture, as well as our nature ecosystems, it is important that we aware of the need for the sustainable management of our national deer population. These include the protection of biodiversity, newly planted forestry, pasture and crops, road safety, animal health, public health, and not least the health and welfare of the deer themselves.
“The appointment of a deer programme manager is an important milestone in the sustainable management of our national deer population. I wish the programme manager well in their work and I look forward to their implementation of the deer management strategy under the guidance of the Deer Management Strategy Group.”
Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan said he is eager for this work to commence as soon as possible. He added: “Since the introduction of the Wildlife Acts, the range and number of red deer, sika deer and fallow deer have increased significantly across Ireland. Overgrazing by deer is now a serious pressure and threat in our National Parks and Nature Reserves and for native woodlands across the country, including the Annex I woodland types listed on the EU’s Habitats Directive. Nonetheless, there are encouraging signs that sustained regeneration of native species can occur if the grazing pressure is reduced. I wish the programme manager every success and look forward to hearing more as the work progresses.
Commenting on the final report, Teddy Cashman, chair of the Deer Management Strategy Group said: “The programme manager is key to implementing the recommendations of the Deer Management Strategy Group and I look forward to working with FRS over the coming years making this a reality.”