Eager beavers make a comeback across Britain
Beavers could return across Britain as they are given ‘native species’ legal protection to allow their release into the wild
- Beavers will be given legal protection as a ‘native species’ with licences granted
- Supporters of the movement say beavers can help in the fight against flooding
- But farmers have warned there is a risk that beavers could threaten livelihoods
Beavers are set to make a comeback to rivers across England under Government plans.
They will be given legal protection as a ‘native species’ with licences granted to allow their release into the wild.
Supporters of ‘rewilding’ beavers, following a successful reintroduction on the River Otter in Devon, say ‘nature’s engineers’ can help in the fight against flooding.
But farmers warn there is a risk that beavers could threaten their livelihoods by destroying crops.
Beavers will be given legal protection as a ‘native species’ with licences granted to allow their release into the wild
The creatures had been extinct in the UK for around 400 years before being reintroduced in small areas in 2009.
Environment Secretary George Eustice will today launch a 12-week consultation over the plans and said the Government would take a ‘cautious approach’ to ensure all potential impacts were considered.
Under the plans, applications for licences to release beavers into the wild would need to meet certain criteria such as making sure support for landowners and river users is put in place.
Conservationists argue that beavers would boost eco-tourism and create important wetlands.
The animals could even cut the flow of water from flooding by up to 60 per cent via the dams they create, according to one study.
Supporters of ‘rewilding’ beavers, following a successful reintroduction on the River Otter in Devon, say ‘nature’s engineers’ can help in the fight against flooding
But farmers warn there is a risk that beavers could threaten their livelihoods by destroying crops
Rob Stoneman, of The Wildlife Trusts, said: ‘Beavers can help to improve the quality of rivers and wetlands and the wildlife they support, improve water quality, and reduce flood risk, as well as contributing to carbon storage.’
Richard Bramley, chairman of the National Farmers Union’s environment forum, said: ‘Any impact on a farmer’s ability to produce food needs to be included as part of a full impact assessment carried out before any licence is issued.
We must remember that beaver reintroductions can have negative impacts; potentially undermining riverbanks, damaging trees, impeding drainage and causing low-lying fields to flood.’
The first urban beavers are set to be introduced in Shrewsbury next year.
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