- Consultation launched to seek views on the cautious release
and management of beavers into the wild
- Beavers to be given legal protection as a native species as
part of the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan
Plans to release beavers into the wild in England have been
set out in a consultation launching today (Wednesday 25 August) –
marking a cautious step towards further reintroductions and
establishing native beaver populations.
Beavers can play a hugely significant role in helping to
restore nature to England. Widely referred to as ‘ecosystem
engineers’, they create dams from trees, mud and rocks, which
raise water levels, creating pools and wetland habitats which
support the recovery of a wide range of native species.
Under the Government’s proposals, applications
for licences to release beavers into the wild
would need to meet certain criteria, including
demonstrating positive
stakeholder engagement and local buy in, and proof that a
comprehensive assessment has been undertaken of the impacts on
surrounding land, the water environment, infrastructures,
habitats, and protected species. Projects must also
ensure that support for landowners and river
users is put in place.
The consultation follows a successful reintroduction in
Devon – the River
Otter beavers reintroduction trial – which over
five-years brought a wealth of benefits to the local
area and ecology, including enhancing the environment at a local
wildlife site, creating wetland habitat, and reducing flood risk
for housing downstream.
The 12-week consultation is seeking views on:
- Potential future releases into the wild
- Current and future releases into enclosures
- Mitigation and management of beaver activity or impacts in
the wild, including the River Otter population and all other
existing wild living beaver populations
Plans to give beavers legal protection in England are also
being announced today, to support their recovery. This will make
it an offence to deliberately capture, kill, disturb or injure
beavers, or damage breeding sites or resting places.
Secretary of State said:
“We are committed to providing opportunities to reintroduce
formerly native species, such as beavers, where the benefits for
the environment, people and the economy are clear.
“Today marks a significant milestone for the reintroduction
of beavers in the wild, with the launch of the Government’s
consultation on our national approach and management of beavers
in England.
“But we also understand that there are implications for
landowners, so we are taking a cautious approach to ensure that
all potential impacts are carefully considered.”
Chair of Natural England, Tony Juniper,
said:
“The launch of Defra’s consultation today marks an
important and positive moment for the future of these wonderful
animals in England. Beavers are not only fascinating creatures in
their own right, but are also ecosystem engineers that will play
a key role in restoring and linking habitats, in the process
bringing many environmental benefits, like we have seen in the
highly successful River Otter trial in Devon – hugely positive
transformations, including the creation of wetland habitat,
improving water quality and smoothing flood peaks.
“I encourage everyone to respond, so that the way we shape
the future of wild Beavers reflects as many perspectives as
possible”.
Decisions on the reintroduction of formerly native species
in England are made based on the principles set out in the
Government’s code of
best practice for reintroductions, which was published in
May this year. Future beaver reintroductions will be subject to a
licence from Natural England.
Today’s announcement contributes to delivering against the
25 Year Environment Plan commitment to provide opportunities for
the reintroduction of formerly native species – provided there
are clear environmental, social and economic benefits.
Responses to the consultation will be used to inform
decisions on the approach to further releases of beavers into the
wild in England. A summary of responses will be published in
early 2022.
Today’s announcement is part of the Government’s
commitments aimed at tackling the twin threat of biodiversity and
climate change.
The Government’s Environment Bill will deliver the most
ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth and
drive forward action to protect nature and improve biodiversity,
including through a target for species abundance for 2030, aiming
to halt the decline of nature.
The consultation will be live on gov.uk at 9:30am,
Wednesday 25 August.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- Beavers were once native to Britain but were hunted to
extinction in Britain around 400 years ago.
- The scope of this consultation covers beavers in England.
Wildlife policy is devolved so decisions about reintroductions of
species in Scotland and Wales are made by the Scottish Parliament
or the Welsh Parliament.
- A partner pack is available for download here.
