Ireland Urged to Promote Venison as Alternative to Beef
Rising deer population sparks push for venison consumption
Ireland is being urged to increase consumption of venison as rising wild deer numbers create growing pressure on farmland and biodiversity.
According to reporting by The Irish Times, the expanding deer population has prompted the creation of an Irish Deer Management Strategy Group to address the environmental and agricultural impact.
Industry figures say venison could become a more widely consumed alternative protein. Retail prices suggest the meat can already be cheaper than beef, with 500g of diced venison selling for around €7.99 compared with about €10 for beef.
Pat Doyle said demand for venison has increased significantly, describing the current year as one of the strongest on record for sales. Producers are calling for the product to be more widely used in supermarkets, ready meals and foodservice.
Modern processing methods are also helping to broaden consumer appeal. Venison is now typically hung for around one week rather than the traditional two weeks, resulting in a milder flavour profile.
Source: The Irish Times | 9 March 2026
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