DEER FARMING IN HUNGAR
Peter Horn
Deer farming was started between 1983 and 1985 by capturing and exporting Red deer from Hungary to New Zealand.
With the help of the New Zealand experts three deer farms were established in 1984 and 1985 for breeding stock, venison and velvet production.
The Pannon Agricultural University, the Faculty of Animal Science was pioneer and supervisor of the research and development in deer farming.
The breeding stock were captured from the wild. For the protection of the Hungarian wild deer population it is prohibited to import deer from other countries.
Hunting and wild game management has very strong and deep traditional roots in Hungary, therefore deer farming was strongly opposed by groups supporting traditional wild game management.
The Hungarian food and food processing legislation does not allow the farmers to sell their product directly from the farms as is possible in most West European countries. This situation is slowing down the progress in deer farming.
Today there are 21 registered Red deer farms with a total population of 2400 deer. Most are part-time farmers; the larger farms are owned by hunting and R&D organisations.
The Hungarian Deer Farmers Association was founded in 1998 with 19 members. First of all we would like to find a direct home market for the farmed venison and promote deer farming in Hungary.
