Steiermark farmers seek exemptions from EU sika deer ban

Farmers in Styria are seeking exemptions from an EU ban on keeping and breeding sika deer, which the bloc classifies as an invasive species, ORF reported. The animals originally come from Asia, but farmers say they have caused no problems in Austria.

The ban took effect a year ago and includes a two-year transition period. Unless an exemption is granted, Austria must have no sika deer by August 2027.

In cooperation with the agriculture ministry, applications for exemptions in Styria were accepted until last week. The applications will now be collected and sent to Brussels, Rudolf Grabner, wildlife adviser at the Styrian Chamber of Agriculture, told ORF.

There are about 60 farms keeping sika deer in Styria and 150 across Austria. About two-thirds of the Styrian farms are expected to have submitted an application.

If the European Union rejects the exemptions, the farms will have to remove the animals from their enclosures by August 7, 2027, which would mean slaughtering them, Grabner said.

Sika deer have been kept, bred and consumed in Austria for more than 100 years. Farmers value them for their high-quality meat and calm nature. In size, they are between fallow deer and red deer.