Ministers McConalogue and O’Brien launch public consultation on deer management

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, today jointly launched a new public consultation to inform the next phase of the development of the Deer Management Strategy.
The purpose of the consultation coordinated by the Deer Management Strategy Group is to gather views on key issues relating to deer management in Ireland, the impact of increased deer numbers on a variety of issues such as forestry, biodiversity, road safety, animal health and welfare and the welfare of the deer themselves.
The Deer Management Strategy Group is chaired by Teddy Cashman and was convened earlier this year to continue the work of the Irish Deer Management Forum (IDMF).
Launching the consultation, Minister McConalogue said:
“For agriculture as well as our nature ecosystems, it is important that we are 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.
“I am delighted to see the Deer Management Strategy group, chaired by Teddy Cashman, progress this important work with officials from my department, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Coillte. Teddy and the group have shown tremendous leadership so far and I look forward to seeing their work progress. I encourage all interested parties, be that individuals, groups or associations to make their views known to the consultation so that the deer can be managed in a sustainable way in the future.”
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien said:
“Deer are an important part of our natural and cultural heritage. They have benefited in recent decades from protection under the Wildlife Acts and their number and range has been increasing. This expansion in deer numbers can bring challenges for landowners and for biodiversity. The management of deer in Ireland has many facets and it is important that all stakeholders have an opportunity to feed into the process. Minister McConalogue and I encourage everyone with an interest in deer in Ireland to take part in this survey.”
The Deer Management Strategy Group are requesting the views of all stakeholders with the aim of creating a sustainable and effective deer management strategy for both now and for the future.
Interested individuals, groups or organisations can share their views on deer management in Ireland by completing the online survey available on the Government of Ireland website at gov.ie - Consultations (www.gov.ie). Closing date for submissions is 5pm on Friday, 10 February 2023.