Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:180 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which deer farming has increased or reduced in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5337/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 18 February 2004
Ceisteanna (111)
Freagraí scríofa
The deer-farming sector is stronger structurally now than it was ten years ago. While the overall number of farms with a deer enterprise has declined in that period the average size of enterprise has increased from six to ten hectares while the average breeding herd has increased from 48 to 88 animals. There are now some 48,500 deer on farms in Ireland, an increase of 10% since 1994. The typical deer enterprise today is larger, more specialised and produces high quality product for the domestic and export markets in Denmark, the US and UK.