Abstract
The role of the \eta NN-interaction is studied in the low energy regime in \eta-deuteron reactions as well as in coherent and incoherent \eta-photoproduction on the deuteron using a three-body model with separable two-body interactions. The three-body approach turns out to be quite essential in the most important lowest partial wave. Results are presented for differential and total cross sections as well as for the \eta-meson spectrum. They differ significantly from those predicted by a simple rescattering model in which only first-order \eta N- and NN-interactions in the final state are considered. The major features of the experimental data of \eta-photoproduction in the near-threshold region are well reproduced.