Deer shooting to be facilitated in England to protect woodlands

To protect England's woodlands, the government plans to ease restrictions on deer shooting. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds will introduce legislation granting landowners and tenants greater rights to cull deer, including non-native species like muntjac, Chinese water deer, fallow, and sika, which are thriving due to a lack of natural predators. Deer overpopulation is damaging woodlands by eating vegetation and harming trees, hindering the government's goal of regenerating 43,000 hectares of woodland. Currently, 33% of English woodlands are in unfavorable condition due to deer impact. The new plans include deer management strategies for publicly owned land within 10 years, targeted culls in high-priority areas, and changes to grant systems to incentivize deer shooting even outside wooded areas.

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