Fallow buck (top), Sika hind and calf (bottom). Fallow deer have been found in Ireland since the early 12th century. Sika deer were introduced in 1860. Both species now classified as Invasive Alien Species. It is expected that the new classification will have profound implications for the future of wild deer in Ireland.
Statutory Instrument No. 374/2024 – European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024 came into force on 24th July 2024 (Iris Oifigiúil, 26th July, 2024 These Regulations have been developed for the purposes of implementing aspects of Regulation (EU) No. 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species. These Regulations also include provisions to deal with invasive alien species of national concern.
Invasive alien species (IAS) are animals and plants that are introduced accidentally or deliberately into a natural environment where they are not normally found, with serious negative consequences for their new environment. They are considered a major threat to native plants and animals in Europe and are deemed to be one of the five major causes of biodiversity loss (the others being changes in land use such as deforestation, intensive monoculture, urbanisation, direct exploitation such as [over] hunting and over-fishing, climate change and pollution.
The core of the EU Regulation is the list of Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern (the Union List). The species included on this list are subject to restrictions and measures set out in the Regulation. These include restrictions on keeping, importing, selling, breeding, growing and releasing into the environment. The only deer listed as being of Union concern (the Union List) in EU Regulation No. 1432/2014 are Muntjac deer and Axis deer. SI No. 374/2024 sets out a list of invasive alien species of national concern (the [Irish] National List). Listed as invasive alien species of concern in Ireland are Fallow deer, Sika deer, Muntjac deer, Chinese Water Deer, Roe deer and Wild Boar (Roe and Wild Boar are not listed as of concern on the Union list, being considered indigenous to most other Member States of the Union).
The purpose of SI 374/2024 is to give effect to EU 1143/2014, tailored to include local Irish concerns. The addition of Fallow and Sika no doubt follows the current campaign of vilification and demonisation invoked against deer in general and Fallow and Sika in particular, to which Government has apparently succumbed, regardless of the complete lack of either science or proper analysis. This attitude is reflected in the recent changes to the Open Season for male and female deer of the three main species – changes which are opposed by the main deer organisations for good and valid reasons. The consequences of this new classification (for which no consultation was conducted amongst deer stakeholder groups) has potential and wide-ranging negative effects, summed up in the word “eradication” which is the ultimate objective of the so-called “management” methods implicit in the Regulation. Deer interest groups do not honestly believe that the general body of citizens (voters), beyond vested interests, really see this as a good idea, or acceptable on animal welfare grounds.
Statutory Instrument No. 374/2024 can be found HERE
EU Regulation No. 1432/2014 can be found HERE
