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Consultation launched on the reintroduction of beavers in England
The Government has also announced plans to give beavers legal protection in England.
Government seeks views on potential future releases and the management of the species in the wild.

The UK Government has launched a landmark consultation seeking views on the reintroduction of beavers in England.

It comes after a successful five-year trial of beavers in Devon, which brought a wealth of benefits to the local area and ecology, including reducing flood risk for housing downstream, enhancing the environment and creating wetland habitat.

The consultation will run for 12 weeks and is seeking views on potential future releases into the wild, current and future releases into enclosures, and the management of beaver activity.

On announcing the consultation, environment secretary George Eustice said: “We are committed to providing opportunities to reintroduce formerly native species, such as beavers, where the benefits for the environment, people and the economy are clear.

“Today marks a significant milestone for the reintroduction of beavers in the wild, with the launch of the Government’s consultation on our national approach and management of beavers in England. But we also understand that there are implications for landowners, so we are taking a cautious approach to ensure that all potential impacts are carefully considered.”

In addition to the consultation, the Government has also announced plans to give beavers legal protection in England to support their recovery. This status will make it illegal to deliberately capture, kill, disturb or injure beavers, or damage breeding sites or rescue places.

Natural England chair Tony Juniper said the consultation marks a positive step for the future of beavers in England.

“Beavers are not only fascinating creatures in their own right but are also ecosystem engineers that will play a key role in restoring and linking habitats, in the process bringing many environmental benefits, like we have seen in the highly successful River Otter trial in Devon – hugely positive transformations, including the creation of wetland habitat, improving water quality and smoothing flood peaks,” he said.

“I encourage everyone to respond so that the way we shape the future of wild Beavers reflects as many perspectives as possible.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.