Sustainable Cervid Farming for Meat as a Contributor to Environmental Protection and Enrichment

Driven by the escalating worldwide consumption of animal-sourced commodities, the livestock industry faces intensified constraints regarding its ecological consequences, encompassing large-scale deforestation, elevated greenhouse gas emissions, progressive soil deterioration, and the suboptimal management of hydrological resources. In response to these challenges, the concept of sustainable livestock husbandry integrates production practices with environmental management strategies designed to conserve biodiversity, optimize resource use, and reduce emissions. The objective of this review is to emphasize the significance of sustainable cervid farming as an integral element of contemporary food supply chains, comprehensively addressing its environmental, production, and nutritional dimensions. A comprehensive assessment of current scholarly articles from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was performed to explore topics concerning eco-conscious livestock practices, non-conventional farming models, organic rearing, animal well-being, and the evolution of deer breeding. Particular attention was paid to the role of permanent grasslands in venison production, soil protection, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity preservation. The nutritional value of red deer and fallow deer meat and its significance in sustainable food systems are also outlined. As indicated by the analysis of available research findings, extensive cervid farming based on the use of permanent grasslands and local feed resources can reduce environmental pressures through support of landscape conservation, preservation of ecosystem functions, and efficient utilization of biomass that is inedible for humans. Venison is shown to be a valuable source of high-quality protein, minerals, and essential fatty acids, which meets growing consumer demands for high-quality food. The literature review has confirmed that properly managed cervid farming can be an important element of sustainable food production systems combining production goals with environmental protection and animal welfare. It also emphasizes the need for further research into the environmental, economic, and social aspects of this branch of animal production.