After centuries of absence from England’s waterways, the UK Government has recently ruled in favor of the reintroduction of beavers into the wild. The return of beavers can help restore rivers and wetlands and reduce flooding and drought. Research has shown that beaver dams can improve downstream water quality, with benefits for wild swimmers and anglers. The environment secretary, Steve Reed, announced that nature groups will now be able to get a licence for the release.

Photo by Matej Bizjak / Pexels

It is understood the plan was initially stalled by No 10 because of concerns it was a Conservative legacy project that could go against the needs of farmers. Indeed, the National Farmers Union have stated they believe the beaver releases to be a mistake. Current plans, published under the previous government, suggest lethal control will be allowed as a last resort. These plans should be published imminently, and will include support for farmers who have their fields inadvertently flooded by beavers. The aim is for the return of beavers to be carefully managed to avoid a negative impact on farming, food production and infrastructure.

The Guardian claims there was outcry from wildlife groups after they reported this blocking of the policy, and Defra was subsequently given the green light for the announcement. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is also understood to have made representations to Downing Street that beavers could be part of Labour’s growth mission, working for free to build infrastructure and restore nature – beavers recently saved the Czech government £1m by building a dam.

The first beavers, captured from Scotland, have already been released in Dorset. On Saturday, March 1, the National Trust released two pairs of Eurasian beavers in Purbeck. This is the first time since the 16th century that beavers will roam freely in the area.