DEER FARMING IN CZECH REPUBLIC
(The Czech Deer Farmers’ Association)
Between 1982 and 1983, the first four farms were established in Czechoslovakia under supervision of the Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague: two for Fallow deer (61.6 ha and 26.5 ha), the other two for Red deer (45.2 ha and 18.2 ha). Since that time deer farming has been faced by unwillingness from traditional hunters. Therefore, the development of deer farming has been constrained by contrasting interpretation of legislation.
The association was founded shortly after the break of the communistic regime, in 1990, as the Czechoslovak association. After the split of the country it still survived as the Czech and Slovak association. Two years later, however, the Slovak part left and only the Czech association remained, while in Slovakia no substitute for the former federal association has yet been established.
There are currently more than 100 deer farms within the country. About half of them are registered within the association. At the moment the association has 126 full members and 10 associated members. We release a newsletter with two to four issues per annum. Newsletters are distributed to about 200 addresses and are followed by many non-members as well.
Basically both Red and Fallow deer are kept on the farms in the country, the proportion of the species being roughly equal. Many of the Red deer farms are assigned for velvet production, but they have problems getting a reasonable market price. Many other Red deer farms and all Fallow deer farms produce venison.
The 1999 season seems to have been a milestone in deer farming development in the Czech Republic. Since 28th September 1999 we have had a new veterinary law; through this, the legislation is unambiguous. Farmed deer are now "farm animals" like cattle, pigs and sheep. Also, in September we obtained approval for written regulations on deer farming from the Animal Care Committee. The association is supposed to organise training in deer farming. These facts could induce an increase in the numbers.
At the moment we are making new registration to get better insight into who farms deer and how many animals. Also, we are trying to establish a venison selling co-operative aimed at establishing a regular market in the country.
