Defra downgrades species reintroduction ambitions

The reintroduction of species like beavers, bison and eagles is “no longer a priority for government”, Defra has said.

Instead, the government is focused on reaching its biodiversity targets through other methods, such as habitat restoration and biodiversity corridors.

The reintroduction of species such as beavers remains controversial, with wildlife groups insisting this can help the government meet its biodiversity and species abundance goals, benefit local communities, and restore ecosystems.

See also: Ministers urged to review protection for beavers in England

But farmers and farming organisations, including the NFU, NFU Scotland and the Country, Land and Business Association (CLA), have repeatedly raised concerns about rewilding and the reintroduction of “lost” species to the countryside.

They warn this can have potential negative effects on the environment and result in livestock predation, and say the government must pay compensation for any losses to their businesses.

The cross-party Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee spent months listening to evidence from farmers, scientists and conservationists, and it produced a report (“Species Reintroduction” PDF) in July recommending ministers produce a list categorising species according to levels of risk to stakeholders (low, medium, high).

The committee also emphasised the importance of a pre-reintroduction management plan for each species.

In response, Defra said this week it will not be producing a strategy or a list of priority species for reintroduction and referred instead to the government’s Code for Reintroductions, saying the level of risk from any species is dependent upon local circumstances. 

Efra chairman, Robert Goodwill, said it was concerning that the government did not have a proper plan on species reintroduction, adding that he was disappointed by their response to his committee’s recommendations.

‘Risk to rural livelihoods’ – CLA

But CLA president Mark Tufnell said species reintroduction should only take place with the explicit backing of local communities.

He added: “Without proper case-by-case evaluation, transparent management and monitoring, the policy of reintroduction could risk rural livelihoods and communities.

“Agricultural disruption, damage and disease transmission could be among the unintended, but likely, consequences.

“Biodiversity is crucial for our sector’s sustainable future, but there are safer and more cost-effective ways to improve it which should be considered first.”