The government should pay farmers compensation for damage caused by beavers during efforts to help the species return to the wild across the UK, according to a cross-party group of MPs.
The MPs said existing arrangements for reintroducing species such as beavers, lynx and bison to the UK were “completely inadequate” and “overly bureaucratic”.
Eurasian beavers in Britain were hunted to extinction for their fur and meat in the 16th century but have returned to the wild in Scotland since 2009. The first wild beavers in England for centuries were spotted in Devon in 2014 after an unauthorised release.
In a report, the environment, food and rural affairs committee noted that beavers had won legal protections last October but conservationists were still unable to apply
Enjoy unlimited digital access. £1 for 6 months.
