DEFRA consultation on on approach to beaver reintroduction and management in England

[YorkshireAndrew]

 

[wanton dwarf]

K

I cannot wait for 3ft of water to go through a major town due to beavers, sometimes the only way to get the message is for people or unfortunately experience their own pain and trauma

You would think this would remidy the problem. But I think you'll find licenses will be handed out to resolve "Problems" for a certain class of people.

The EA are well used to creating double standards, after all they are judge and jury.

 

[steveR]

I can’t see a problem with it myself. It’s not like there’s ever any flooding around Shrewsbury at all at the moment…..

I think the bloody things will struggle to dam the Severn between Shrewsbury and your neck of the woods, but maybe a tributary or two upstream
...

 

[neilo]

I think the bloody things will struggle to dam the Severn between Shrewsbury and your neck of the woods, but maybe a tributary or two upstream
...

I think they might struggle to keep many upstream tributaries dammed for long.

 

[steveR]

K

I cannot wait for 3ft of water to go through a major town due to beavers, sometimes the only way to get the message is for people or unfortunately experience their own pain and trauma

My gut instinct is that it will be one of the towns under Dartmoor or Exmoor...

Already at flooding risk... but of course, a beaver or 3 will sort this in a trice?

 

[steveR]

I think they might struggle to keep many upstream tributaries dammed for long.

I know a man called Kev....?

 

[Bury the Trash]

Make the tree point , more beavers less trees, fact.

 

[steveR]

That's exactly what's proposed......


73.We intend to make beavers a European Protected Species by listing them in Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. This change is to implement legal obligations under the Bern Convention and does not form part of the proposed approach that is being consulted upon.

Giving beavers this protection means that it will be an offence to deliberately capture, kill, disturb or injure beavers. It will also be an offence to damage or destroy breeding sites or resting places.

76.Therefore, if an individual wants to undertake management activities which would otherwise be prohibited, they will be required to apply for a licence from Natural England. We will develop guidance to help stakeholders to understand when a licence is required and how to apply for a licence.

'king Natural England...

We are stuffed then. I wonder what some of the IDB's will have to say when they have their rivers and ditches being blocked, and they will be.

 

[Muddyroads]

I lost a ram 2 years ago to beavers. They had tunnelled under a fence line and when the ram stood on it the ground collapsed beneath him. I found him with his front legs and head underwater.

 

[steveR]

I lost a ram 2 years ago to beavers. They had tunnelled under a fence line and when the ram stood on it the ground collapsed beneath him. I found him with his front legs and head underwater.

How long/big was the tunnel?

 

[Sonoftheheir]

Why are they reintroducing Beavers? What is the point?

 

[steveR]

Why are they reintroducing Beavers? What is the point?

Well meaning idiots think it is a great idea, and bigger idiots with power have pushed it onto an Agenda.

Packtwit, Goldsmith and Princess NutNut come to mind...

 

[teslacoils]

Why are they reintroducing Beavers? What is the point?

It allows them more opportunities to "do nothing". Sorry, gov, can't dredge those water courses were responsible for - beavers innit.

 

[Muddyroads]

How long/big was teh tunnel?

Big enough for him to fall in, small enough for him to get stuck. Hadn’t gone far under under the fence but rising water levels as the river was in flood was his downfall.

 

[Sonoftheheir]

Well meaning idiots think it is a great idea, and bigger idiots with power have pushed it onto an Agenda.

Packtwit, Goldsmith and Princess NutNut come to mind...

They must think there’s a benefit to them?

 

[steveR]

They must think there’s a benefit to them?

Makes them feel warm and fuzzy inside, at a No10 dinner party....

Carrie Antoinette and Goldie, bemoaning the plebs not loving them....

 

[Bury the Trash]

They must think there’s a benefit to them?

Diverting water to wetland 'reservoirs' / flood prevention , are the main ones they claim, plus extra ' natural diversity' as well i suppose.

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

They must think there’s a benefit to them?

The argument is that they:

• Create Natural Flood Management by felling trees across rivers and creating ponded areas
• Increase diversity of hydrology and ecology by creating new wetland areas thus providing more habitats for plants and animals that need those habitats
• Achieve the above at no cost unlike humans moving in to do it

The counter argument is that:

• Our landscape has developed in the absence of beavers for 2 centuries and isn't ready for them now
• Their activities are not delivered in targeted locations and so risk unacceptable impacts (flooding urban areas and good farmland)
• Landowners are faced with the costs of managing those unwanted impacts without choice
• Sometimes their activities will actually increase flood risk (damming rivers near high flood risk property, beaver dams collapsing during storms causing inundation downstream etc)

Personally I'd favour allowing their widespread release but without any protection (except, maybe, making it illegal to hunt them for fur) so that Landowners who don't want them could cheaply control them.

 

[Muddyroads]

To what extent might they be Tb vectors?

 

[ajcc]

To what extent might they be Tb vectors?

Oh we’ll probably give them a health check before we let them go...!