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The return of beavers brings with it potential environmental benefits but also raises understandable questions for farmers and landowners about flood risk, land management, and what is and is not allowed when beavers are present on agricultural land.
How did we get here?
The Eurasian Beaver is a native species, hunted to extinction in Britain around 400 years ago. After many decades of absence, beavers began reappearing in England through a mix of enclosed projects, unlicensed releases and natural spread.
In the South, the most significant milestone was the River Otter Beaver Trial in Devon, England’s first licensed wild beaver reintroduction. The five year trial concluded in 2020 and found that beavers could live in the wild while delivering environmental benefits, provided impacts were actively managed.
Following this, the government confirmed that:
- Wild living beavers would be allowed to remain and expand naturally.
- From 1 October 2022, beavers would receive legal protection in England as a European Protected Species.
In February 2025, Defra announced a new policy allowing licensed wild releases of beavers, including in the South, under a controlled and managed approach designed to balance benefits with impacts on farming and infrastructure.
We are aware of a number of beaver sightings or signs of activity across several catchments. In some cases, this may relate to historic unlicensed releases or natural spread from neighbouring counties.
If you have concerns about unanticipated beaver activity or would like support, please get in touch with your local adviser.
Potential benefits
Evidence from South trials and wider research shows that beavers can:
- Slow water flows and reduce downstream flood peaks
- Store water in the landscape during dry periods
- Improve water quality by trapping sediment and nutrients
- Create wetland habitat that supports biodiversity and natural pest control
These effects can, in the right locations, support natural flood management and help build resilience to extreme weather, which is increasingly relevant for farm businesses. However, these benefits are location specific and depend on scale, catchment context and active management.
Challenges for farmers
Beavers can also create real and legitimate challenges, particularly for productive farmland. These may include:
- Localised flooding of grazing land or crops
- Burrowing into riverbanks, ditches and flood embankments
- Damage to trees, including hedgerow and riverside trees
- Risks to farm tracks, culverts and other infrastructure
Most impacts occur close to watercourses, typically within around 20 metres of the bank, however, unmanaged activity can still have knock on effects for farm operations. This is why the government’s approach is explicitly based on managed coexistence, not unmanaged spread.
Looking ahead
Beavers are now part of the South landscape. The challenge and opportunity is to ensure their return:
- Does not unfairly burden farm businesses
- Comes with clear, workable management options
- Is properly supported by advice, licensing and funding mechanisms
Dialogue between farmers, NFU representatives, regulators and conservation bodies will be essential to make sure beaver management works for food production as well as for nature.