Smith proposed asking the Department of Agriculture “to put regulations in place regarding the deer herd,” as the national deer population is spiralling out of control.
The motion was put forward at a recent meeting of Cavan County Council and was supported by several other councillors.
Smith noted the argument that their contact with livestock helps the spread of TB.
Peter McVitty and Shane P O’Reilly added that the deer population in Ireland is not an endangered species like the pine marten.
Permission to shoot deer
Fine Gael councillor Winston Bennett told the Anglo-Celt newspaper that in clear cases where damage is being done to agricultural infrastructure, farmers should be allowed to shoot deer.
The deer population has been associated with TB black spots across the country, particularly in Co Wicklow, where a survey by the Department of Agriculture revealed that 16% of deer were found to be carrying TB.
As revealed by the Irish Farmers Journal recently, the TB eradication programme is costing in the region of €90m, with farmers receiving relatively low levels of payment. Figures revealed that the Department of Agriculture salaries are double that of the money farmers get in compensation.
IFA Wicklow county chair Tom Short told the Irish Farmers Journal: “The Department of Agriculture needs to deal with the situation and take the lead role in solving the problem.
“It’s impacting on farmers and the population is out of control. Farmers in some cases can’t grow early grass because of the deer so we really need some joined-up thinking.”
“Farmers love wildlife and they nurture it but this has to be taken on in a controlled manner because they haven’t been controlled in the past 15 years hence why we have this problem.”
The calls raise a question of competence
However, Liam McGarry, president of the Irish Deer Society, said the calls to allow farmers to shoot deer “raises a question of competence”.
“There is a facility under the Wildlife Act that farmers can apply for a licence to shoot deer if they are causing damage.”
The farmer would have to apply for a firearms licence and a deer hunting licence, says Liam.
The act gives permission “to capture or kill any protected wild bird or any protected wild animal which the owner, occupier or other person reasonably believes is causing the damage”.
McGarry says: “It’s all catered for within the various acts.”
With regards to the shooting of deer, Liam says that “we would say it should be done carefully and selectively. Farmers would understand that better than anyone. We would emphasise that deer should be managed and controlled at sustainable levels”.
Read more
Struggling with TB in Wicklow
TB eradication costing €90m
Wildlife organisations 'not opposed' to culling for deer management
16% of deer in Wicklow carry TB
TB in deer threatening farmers' livelihoods, says Wicklow IFA
Smith proposed asking the Department of Agriculture “to put regulations in place regarding the deer herd,” as the national deer population is spiralling out of control.
The motion was put forward at a recent meeting of Cavan County Council and was supported by several other councillors.
Smith noted the argument that their contact with livestock helps the spread of TB.
Peter McVitty and Shane P O’Reilly added that the deer population in Ireland is not an endangered species like the pine marten.
Permission to shoot deer
Fine Gael councillor Winston Bennett told the Anglo-Celt newspaper that in clear cases where damage is being done to agricultural infrastructure, farmers should be allowed to shoot deer.
The deer population has been associated with TB black spots across the country, particularly in Co Wicklow, where a survey by the Department of Agriculture revealed that 16% of deer were found to be carrying TB.
As revealed by the Irish Farmers Journal recently, the TB eradication programme is costing in the region of €90m, with farmers receiving relatively low levels of payment. Figures revealed that the Department of Agriculture salaries are double that of the money farmers get in compensation.
IFA Wicklow county chair Tom Short told the Irish Farmers Journal: “The Department of Agriculture needs to deal with the situation and take the lead role in solving the problem.
“It’s impacting on farmers and the population is out of control. Farmers in some cases can’t grow early grass because of the deer so we really need some joined-up thinking.”
“Farmers love wildlife and they nurture it but this has to be taken on in a controlled manner because they haven’t been controlled in the past 15 years hence why we have this problem.”
The calls raise a question of competence
However, Liam McGarry, president of the Irish Deer Society, said the calls to allow farmers to shoot deer “raises a question of competence”.
“There is a facility under the Wildlife Act that farmers can apply for a licence to shoot deer if they are causing damage.”
The farmer would have to apply for a firearms licence and a deer hunting licence, says Liam.
The act gives permission “to capture or kill any protected wild bird or any protected wild animal which the owner, occupier or other person reasonably believes is causing the damage”.
McGarry says: “It’s all catered for within the various acts.”
With regards to the shooting of deer, Liam says that “we would say it should be done carefully and selectively. Farmers would understand that better than anyone. We would emphasise that deer should be managed and controlled at sustainable levels”.
Read more
Struggling with TB in Wicklow
TB eradication costing €90m
Wildlife organisations 'not opposed' to culling for deer management
16% of deer in Wicklow carry TB
TB in deer threatening farmers' livelihoods, says Wicklow IFA
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