Mayo farmer's group call for planned cull of deer population

A MAYO farming organisation has called for 'radical action' including a planned cull to reduce the number of wild deer in the county.

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) expressed alarm at what they see as the increasing numbers and spread of wild deer across the county and the need 'for comprehensive action' to reduce the deer population in Mayo.

Mayo Chair of INHFA Seamus Cosgrove called for a planned cull of the deer population in Mayo stating that their presence was a 'pressing danger around animal and public health'.

“This action will need to include critical stakeholders such as the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) and forestry companies including Coillte in a planned cull of the deer population.

“While a small number of people may have an issue with the idea of such a cull we must recognise that there is a pressing danger around animal and public health and especially in relation to road safety,” said Mr Cosgrove.

He added: “While the expanding deer population is a major issue across north Mayo we are getting reports of deer sightings across all of the county and while increasing forestry cover has added to this, we are also seeing issues where forestry is felled displacing existing deer populations.

“While deer hunting licences have been issued over recent years there is a need for a more coordinated approach to deliver the outcomes necessary,” he said.

The Irish Deer Management Strategy Group (IDMSG) was set up in September 2022 made up of representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Coillte.

The role of the IDMSG was to develop initiatives to ensure sustainable deer numbers while achieving the objectives of landowners ranging from biodiversity, forestry, agriculture, animal health and road safety.

The Group made a number of recommendations including the extension of the hunting seasons and Mr Cosgrove said it is critical that farmers work with this group and its Chair Teddy Cashman to develop a coordinated approach needed to address the issue with deers in Mayo.