NGO Welcomes Deer Proposals
1 September 2006
The National Gamekeepers' Organisation (NGO) has welcomed Government proposals to relax the laws on deer control in England to prevent numbers getting out of hand.
Defra Minister Barry Gardiner announced earlier this week the Government's intention to change the 1991 Deer Act to lengthen the open season for female deer and to free up shooting during the close season under licence. Smaller calibre rifles will be allowed for shooting roe deer and muntjac. Stalkers will be allowed for the first time to shoot deer from a stationary vehicle.
All these proposed measures had been suggested or supported by the NGO when the Government sought the advice of gamekeepers in 2004.
The Government's announcement is a response to widespread concerns that increasing populations of unmanaged wild deer are causing damage to English woodlands and danger to the public, particularly through causing road accidents.
A spokesman for the NGO said, "We are delighted that the Government listened to our well-argued case and has announced its intention to make these changes. We will be expressing our support to Defra in writing and look forward to the law being changed as soon as possible."
CLICK HERE to read what the NGO asked the Government for in April 2004