Warning over impact of unmanaged deer population

There were more than two million deer, the Forestry Commission said

If the deer population is not managed the impact "will be vast", the Forestry Commission has warned.

It was estimated some individual landowners have lost hundreds of thousands of pounds to deer damage.

In Shropshire, one farmer warned deer could reduce food output, while a Warwickshire-based land manager has advocated for controlling population size.

There were more than two million deer in the country, the commission said.

In Warwickshire, vegetation has often become a target.

Richard Evans, a land manager based in the county, said controlling the animals was a constant battle.

He said that he wanted to see numbers controlled "to an acceptable level", adding he felt this way "not just for the damage they can create, but for the disease that the deer can actually spread and get themselves."

Land manager Richard Evans said wanted to see deer numbers controlled "to an acceptable level"

Near Ludlow in Shropshire, farmer Hugo Salwey said deer were once a rare sight on his family farm, but now they are regular visitors to his land.

Mr Salwey said: "If we're gonna produce food in this country, everything that reduces our output makes food more expensive and more difficult to produce in this country without doubt."

Deer needed to be managed responsibly and properly, Alastair Boston said

Forestry Commission deer officer Alastair Boston said: "We need to target the females to reduce the numbers overall.

"You've got to control 30% of your numbers of your females just to hold your numbers static."

Mr Boston pointed out that the animals were "not vermin", but said "they need to be managed responsibly and properly."

He added: "If we don't manage the deer, the impact on the environment, socially and economically will be vast."