The sale, purchase and possession of deer in wild or farmed form is regulated under section 45 of the Wildlife Act, 1976. Operators engaged in the sale of farmed deer must have a wildlife dealer's licence in accordance with the Wildlife Act 1976 (Wildlife Dealing) Regulations, 1977.
European Community legislation (Council Directive 91/495/EEC) concerning public health and animal health problems affecting the production and placing on the market of rabbit meat and farmed game meat was adopted on 27 November 1990, to take effect in all member states from 1 January 1993. It is expected that the appropriate implementing legislation for Ireland will come into effect from 1 September 1993.