During a discussion and farm walk in Somerset, civil servants heard about members’ experiences of engaging with projects and living alongside reintroduced species.
Farmer Dave Lawrence showed the group some of the impact beavers have had on his land, including damage to trees, flooding and the erosion of culverts and dams.
“We’ve had beavers on our farm for several years. Although we initially had support from the River Otter Beaver Trial it’s all but dried up. We are having to manage the impacts of their dams without any compensation,” said Dave.
The South region has been a focal point for species release projects. In May, it was announced that up to 20 white-tailed eagles will be released over three years on Exmoor, beginning this summer. They will join the birds released on the Isle of Wight over the past five years.
The NFU helped secure a longer licence period to ensure the Exmoor project can monitor and manage the birds over the medium term.
Two legal beaver releases have taken place in Cornwall and Somerset, adding to existing populations.
Other projects include the release of pine martens on Dartmoor and Exmoor, wildcat recovery proposals in the South West, and the impacts of wild boar.
Members said they are often unaware of proposals until late in the process and do not have sufficient opportunity to provide feedback. Even where consultation does take place, they felt their views are not always adequately reflected in decision-making.
Defra officials said they were keen to learn from previous experiences to help shape future policy and guidance.
“We need stronger consultation, project management and exit strategy requirements to ensure animals that have been reintroduced can be managed.”
South Regional Board Chair David Chugg
Members also raised the lack of clarity on Government’s approach to species reintroductions. Species are being approved for release without clear long term management frameworks being established. They argued this can leave farmers dependent on time-limited projects for advice, support and mitigation.
Opinion on species reintroductions varies; some members are happy to see these species back in the landscape but argue there must be adequate support for farmers to manage the consequences.
South Regional Board Chair David Chugg said, “A long-term plan for key species such as beavers and white tailed eagles is needed, to set out the Government’s vision for these species over the coming decades.
“We need to see stronger consultation, project management and exit strategy requirements to ensure projects can manage animals that have been reintroduced.”