The introduction of a payment for every female deer removed under the Deer Management Programme this season is being called for by David Hall, animal health chair of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).
“Since the programme got underway in February 2025, 15 Deer Management Units have been established and local co-ordinators appointed,” Hall stated.
“Deer larders are being set up at strategic locations across the country, and a new tag-and-trace system is in place. Now, farmers need to see these measures translate into deer removals on the ground.”
With the open season for female deer beginning on Sunday, and running until 31 March, he said the Department must introduce a payment for every female deer removed by licensed hunters without delay.
“Targeting females is essential to bringing deer numbers down in areas where populations are too high.”
TB concerns
The most pressing concern for farmers with high deer numbers is the risk of TB spreading from deer to cattle, according to Hall.
“A TB breakdown puts enormous financial and emotional strain on farm families. Farmers in these areas are also dealing with damaged fences and losses to grass and crops.
“Targeted deer removals in these areas must be part of the Department’s efforts to reduce the risk of TB,” Hall stated.
He called on all stakeholders, including the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Coillte, to work with the Department, local Deer Management Units, farmers, other landowners and licensed hunters on the matter.
“Deer moves between farmland, forestry, and public land. Removals must be co-ordinated across these areas if the programme is to bring numbers down where action is needed most.”
“The Irish Deer Management Strategy Group has had ample time to put their infrastructure in place. It is now well time farmers started seeing meaningful action on the ground by reducing deer numbers and the impact they are having on our farms,” he concluded.
