Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
459. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the extent, if any, to which the market for venison can be enhanced, with particular reference to exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56236/23]
View answerDeer farming in Ireland is an alternative enterprise which is dependent on the dynamics of supply and demand which affect all agricultural production systems. In 1996 there were approximately 500 deer farms with 20,000 deer in Ireland, but numbers have declined sharply since that time.
Specific information on the production volumes of venison in Ireland are not currently available and it remains a niche part of the overall Irish meat sector. Likewise, information on venison consumption within Ireland is difficult, particularly given that the majority of domestic consumption is highly seasonal and is primarily in the foodservice sector where reliable data is particularly difficult to source.
Current export destinations for venison are also difficult to quantify given that the Central Statistics Office (CSO) data does not capture venison as a separate category. There are a small number of companies in Ireland currently engaged in the processing, marketing and export of venison and Bord Bia engage with these as appropriate. Engagement with these companies has indicated that export opportunities exist in central Europe, particularly in Germany.
Venison remains a niche element of overall meat production in Ireland however recent developments in the sector have indicated potential growth in venison availability. From a business expansion perspective Bord Bia will continue to engage with relevant companies and invest in identifying and supporting domestic and export market opportunities for Irish venison as appropriate.
