Deer damage over 100 chestnut trees in Bragança village

Chestnut growers in Cova de Lua, Bragança, report that deer have damaged or destroyed more than 100 chestnut trees in recent days, according to the local commons committee. Producers say the problem recurs yearly and blame the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), which manages the Montesinho Natural Park, for refusing sufficient culling authorisations. Farmers also criticise the slow, bureaucratic compensation process handled by parish councils responsible for hunting zones, which lack the budget to pay damages. One farmer lost 30 trees; others say fencing costs are never reimbursed, discouraging land upkeep.