Strict hygiene protocols should be introduced for the safe disposal of such material, where hunting takes place.ġ.

An additional potential infection pathway may also exist where the disposal of infected offal and viscera, arising from hunting of deer is not disposed of in a hygienic and secure manner, and is made available to scavenging by wildlife and further potential infection of both wildlife and cattle. The Forum considers however that if deer and cattle share feeders for example the potential for transfer exists and this should be avoided through implementation of improved hygiene measures at feeding stations. Members of the Forum are concerned that in other areas of high incidence of BTB in cattle there may also be infection within the deer herd and research should be directed by the Departments to a small number of other areas in consultation with the Forum.Ħ. Until further studies are conducted these results should not be taken as an indicator of BTB levels within deer elsewhere in Ireland.ĥ. The Irish Deer Management Forum considers that the high incidence of BTB in the Calary area of County Wicklow may be a localised issue.

Tom Shortt (IFA) has agreed to convene a TB in deer subcommittee of the Forum to provide integrated guidance and advice on such a plan from IDMF members and other experts, in conjunction with the Wicklow Deer Management Partnership.Ĥ. The group should develop and coordinate the implementation of an appropriate deer management plan for the area of the study.ģ.

On the grounds of deer welfare, both Departments should work with landowners, land managers, hunters and wildlife interests to reduce both the density of deer (namely Sika- Cervus nippon) in the Calary area of County Wicklow and the high incidence of Bovine TB infection within the deer herd in that area.Ģ.ğurther to Point 1 above, an independently facilitated Deer Management Group (DMG) should be established amongst key stakeholders. Recommendations issued by the Irish Deer Management Forum from its inception to December 2016ġ.

Deer hunter forum