Donegal is included as a ‘hot spot’ for large numbers of unquantified animals as plans for a national deer cull takes place.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine Charlie McConalogue has said the culling of deer will take place as recommended by a new report on managing wild deer populations.
The move comes as populations have been growing exponentially.
Along with counties Wicklow, Tipperary, Waterford and Galway, Donegal is seen as a county facing a major problem with unquantified numbers of deer.
There have been a number of calls locally for such a call due to accidents involving deer.
A report from the Irish Deer Management Strategy Group says this has led to issues in terms of biodiversity and farm management.
The group recommends extending the hunting seasons for male and female deer, appointing a national programme manager to set up local deer management units and examining the feasibility of a national deer management agency.
The group, chaired by Teddy Cashman, was set up 14 months ago to review and consult on all issues surrounding the unchecked and expanding wild deer population.
Published this morning, it contains 15 recommendations and is set to be presented at the Cabinet today with Mr McConalogue saying it is the intention that deer culling will happen arising from these recommendations.
Mr McConalogue said that based on the report, he will appoint a team leader first thing in the New Year who will set up local deer management groups in areas with large deer populations and he will then look at adjusting national laws in relation to expanding the shooting season for deer culling.
The minister said: “The growing deer population is a considerable problem, and I will be actioning the recommendations immediately in the new Year.
“For agriculture, our natural ecosystem and our forestry ambitions it is important that we have sustainable management of the national wild deer population.
“However, the impact of deer proliferation extends far beyond this to road safety, animal health, public health and not least the health and welfare of the deer themselves.”
As part of the group’s work, it undertook a public consultation which received 1,500 responses.
Of those, 86% said deer culling was important to address the deer population issue.
