Conservationists opposed the move, saying the animals are “farmers’ allies”, help conserve water in times of drought and are an endangered species that should be honoured. The rodents became extinct in the UK 400 years ago after being hunted for their eyelashes, but in recent years have been reintroduced to England and Scotland. After the wetland-creating creatures were found in the River Otter in Devon in 2013, the government allowed them to stay to test their impact on fish stocks and local landowners. A 2019 study found that beavers had boosted biodiversity in the area and increased fish stocks. Since then, the wheels have been set in motion for beavers to be recognized as a native English species and thus protected from harm. From October 1, beavers in England will enjoy enhanced protection, paving the way for their repopulation in the country’s waterways. However, until now it was unknown whether farmers and landowners would be allowed to kill, rather than simply remove, beavers that might cut down trees or flood farmland. Government guidance released this weekend said “lethal control” could be used as a last resort. Some farmers have criticized plans to grant protection for beavers without consultation on their control. Minette Batters, president of the NFU, said recently: “With the clear impact beavers can have on farmland, a clear management plan in consultation with farmers was the least the government should have produced before introducing this the legislation”. Farmer Derek Gow, who breeds beavers for reintroduction projects on his farm in Devon, said he disagreed with the new guidance. He told the Observer: “It is completely and utterly wrong to kill them. Beavers change landscapes for the better. They help in times of drought and by slowing the flow in times of flood. We should treasure beavers for all they offer and carefully transport them where they will help the earth. We must not kill a single beaver.’ Beavers help reduce flooding and promote biodiversity. Photo: David Chapman/Alamy He added that in most cases, farmers’ concerns about beavers are unwarranted. “Beavers may only be a problem in very intensively used drained wetlands with complex systems that have a very limited drawdown relative to the water being drained. We have farmed for too long by water – the biggest polluter of all is agriculture. pesticides, bacteria and chemicals move directly into the water, causing enormous damage. Beavers, by filtering these kinds of pollutants, actually help agriculture.” James Wallace, former chief executive of the Beaver Trust, who now works for the charity River Action, said animals should be seen as a help rather than a hindrance to agriculture. He said: “Farmers should be offered support to live alongside beavers, including a management hierarchy starting with education, then practical solutions such as protecting trees or crops or removing dams, then relocation if problems persist to high-risk areas for infrastructure such as embankments. and finally lethal check if all else fails. “Killing beavers should be the last thing on our minds as we encourage people to welcome them back, but if necessary then it should be done by a licensed professional and only after the evidence shows the need. As months of drought and devastating pollution from agriculture and sewage have reminded us, we need help from nature for humans to thrive. “Beavers can help breathe life into our degraded and polluted land without reducing food production. In fact, beavers and other natural solutions, such as paying farmers to stock rivers, are essential to sustainable future harvesting and saving Britain’s rivers.’ An NFU spokesman said: “Despite the Government publishing more information about beaver management and licensing in England, the NFU is disappointed that this has not been done without wider consultation with farmers and landowners. “We would like to see the Government work further with farmers and landowners before finalizing the national approach to wild beaver release. “Farmers continue to work around the clock to produce the country’s food and will rightly ask the government for adequate tools and support to manage a species that could affect their business and food production.”
