The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) is again calling on for an effective national deer management programme to address problems faced by farmers and landowners.

IFA president Eddie Downey has said the move to implement a deer management programme on a pilot basis in Co Wicklow must be the first step in the rolling out of a national Programme. He said an effective management programme is needed urgently to curb the population, which is out of control and is causing serious damage to farms around the country.