9 June 2020

Guy Barnett, Minister for Primary Industries and Water

Deer trial feasibility study begins

Tasmanian firm Community Led Impact Partnerships (CLIP) has been awarded a contract to explore the feasibility of a trial to use wild-shot deer for commercial purposes.

CLIP was contracted following advertisements seeking qualified consultants early last month and has started contacting stakeholders to seek their views as part of the work to determine whether a trial is feasible.

The Tasmanian Government committed to this study as part of our response to the 2017 Legislative Council inquiry into wild fallow deer in Tasmania.

The study will examine a range of issues including:

• the values and activities of all stakeholders;
• the economic contribution of game hunting in Tasmania;
• impacts on recreational hunting arrangements between landholders and hunters and also on the deer farming sector;
• policing and enforcement, and;
• regulation, quality control, continuity of supply and differentiation of wild venison product.

It is important to note this feasibility study will help inform if a trial should be undertaken and no decision regarding commercial use of wild shot deer has been made.

This is a staged approach that considers the various issues raised in the Legislative Council inquiry, and ultimately it would be for a business proponent to determine the financial viability of any wild-shot deer products if the activity was to be approved by Government.

The study is expected to be completed by the end of July 2020.

I encourage stakeholders contacted by CLIP to engage in the consultation process. For more information, go to www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/deer-feasibility

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