Officials are considering increased deer culling in response to a significant rise in deer populations across the south-west of England, where the animals are causing damage to farmland, woodlands, and local wildlife.

Farmers and ecologists in the region have reported a marked increase in deer numbers over the past two decades. Alan Hembrow, a tenant farmer in east Cornwall, highlighted the dramatic change saying that while deer were once a rare sight, it is now common to see herds numbering 20 to 30 animals in fields. He also expressed concern about deer carrying tuberculosis and the potential risk of transmission to cattle. “It’s not just in farming land, it’s in the woodland as well,” Hembrow noted.

Elliot Fairs, an ecologist overseeing the Teign Valley Facilitation Fund in Devon, detailed the extent of the damage deer are causing. According to Fairs, the proliferation of deer is damaging fencing, hedges, crops, and woodlands, compromising conservation efforts aimed at protecting species such as dormice and butterflies. He warned that without effective management, his work to preserve these vulnerable species could be undermined.

In response to growing concerns from farmers, foresters, and conservationists, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has indicated plans to enhance deer management strategies. A department spokesperson previously stated that they intend to increase deer culling and deploy additional deer officers to assist landowners. These measures aim to simplify the process for obtaining licenses for deer control, ensuring that actions taken are both effective and humane.

The focus on improved licensing procedures is designed to provide faster and more accessible support for those affected, while maintaining standards of animal welfare. Defra’s anticipated intervention comes as stakeholders seek to balance agricultural productivity, woodland regeneration, and wildlife conservation amid rising deer populations in the region.