Welsh action plan for deer management

10 January 2012

A five-year action plan (2011-2016) to manage the growing number of deer in Wales has been published. This follows the publication of the Welsh Government’s strategy for deer in February 2011. BASC advised the Welsh Government on the development of both the strategy and action plan.

Click here to view the strategy and action plan

What’s it all about?

The action plan calls for a joint approach by public and private land owners and managers to control the impacts of wild deer on agriculture, forestry and vulnerable habitats.

It follows the development of a ‘Strategy for wild deer management in Wales’ by Forestry Commission Wales in partnership with the Welsh Government, Countryside Council for Wales and the Deer Initiative.

The actions include:
• raising awareness of wild deer and their impacts (both positive and negative)
• developing effective methods for monitoring the presence of wild deer
• developing a more collaborative approach to managing wild deer
• promoting best practice for population management to ensure the welfare of the deer
• encouraging the reporting of road collisions involving deer.

The plan recognises that groups will need to work together if the Welsh Government is to achieve its vision that Wales benefits from its wild deer population in balance with the natural, social and economic environment.

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