RECORD numbers of deer on Exmoor and the Quantock Hills are likely to lead to the government relaxing its culling rules to allow them to be shot all year round.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched a consultation last week on a new deer management plan which also includes allowing night-time shooting.

The proposals were welcomed this week by West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger, whose constituency includes most of Exmoor and the Quantocks.

Exmoor is home to England’s largest herd of red deer, estimated to be up to 4,000 strong.

Defra’s move was in response to soaring numbers of deer nationally, which were said to be at their highest for 1,000 years.

It said UK deer numbers were estimated at 450,000 in the 1970s but now they had reached two million.

Defra said: “Lethal control is currently the most effective and humane means when other protection methods are inadequate.”

It was therefore proposing to end the close season except for females, to licence night-time shooting, and to support development of a financially and environmentally sustainable wild venison supply chain.

The consultation runs until September 2, and Environment Secretary George Eustice will announce a decision within 12 weeks of the deadline.

Mr Liddell-Grainger said: “Deer damage has reached unacceptable levels in some areas and at a time when farming margins are being squeezed it is vital that we reduce the financial losses producers are suffering.”

He said deer numbers had soared partly as a result of a more benign climate providing ideal breeding conditions, and partly because farmers could grow crops all year round, which provided a constant food source for them.

But he said the situation was becoming untenable with crop damage running at £4.3 million a year and forestry damage at £4.5 million.

At least 19,000 acres of protected woodlands were in poor condition because of deer grazing and scientists feared their bird populations were declining because of the loss of shrubs which normally provided habitat.

Mr Liddell-Grainger said there was also evidence that because of increased public access to the countryside, deer were becoming nocturnal – hence, the need for night shooting.

He said: “Obviously, it has to be carried out extremely carefully by skilled marksmen but there is no doubt in my mind that it is a necessary exercise.

“I note the RSPCA is claiming the term ‘deer management’ is a euphemism for ‘culling’ - which is no more than a shabby little attempt to whip up public emotions by evoking memories of the furore over badger culling.

“As usual the RSPCA shows little regard for the wellbeing of farmers who, at the end of the day, are the guardians of most of the British countryside and the wildlife within it.

“The fact is that the deer population has become far larger than the country can support without sustaining annual losses of millions of pounds.

“If the RSPCA has a better remedy than an extended shooting programme I should be delighted to be given the details.”

Mr Liddell-Grainger was also pleased the Government was making small grants available to enable more venison to be marketed ‘and hopefully eaten’.

He said: “It is a healthy, low-fat meat and could make a significant contribution to improving the national diet.”