England Delays Beavers Legal Protection Law, Says It Would Come "In Due Course”

(Photo : Photo by mana5280 on Unsplash)

Reintroduction of Eurasian beavers across Britain's wild could be "put in jeopardy" after its legislation has been delayed by the government.

About 400 years of extinction, beavers have been widespread across Britain, and was reintroduced after they had almost gone extinct. In an effort to protect the large, semiaquatic rodents, a protection law which plans to criminalize killing, injuring, or capturing the animals without license was introduced on Tuesday, however, will be delayed in the meantime and will "come in due course".

According to National Farmers' Union (NFU), the delayed law has raised concerns and fears over the future management of beaver populations in England, as reported by BBC.

The government of England is hoping to introduce an amendment to the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 that would include protection for the country's beavers from October.

No Explanation

Beavers played a crucial role in England's wetland landscapes from prehistoric times until it was hunted to extinction in the 16th century for its fur, meat and scent glands, according to Wildlife Trust. Along with its loss is the loss of mosaic of lakes, meres, mires, tarns and boggy places.

The charity had seen beaver kits born in Cheshire, Derbyshire and Dorset so far, noting that their presence holds water on land during heatwaves. They are now asking for explanation behind the delay of legislation.

Craig Bennett, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said: "Clarity around legal protections for beavers are crucial if populations are to recover and thrive long term - it is extremely disappointing that this legislation has been brought to a juddering holt, with no explanation why.

"We need to see the widespread return of wild beavers to create vital wetland habitats and restore rivers, many of which have been damaged by centuries of dredging and being cut off from floodplains. As England grapples with a nature and climate emergency, we need our beavers back."

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Impact of Beavers on the Environment

Studies show that beavers slow river flows with their dams, protect the land, and create habitats for other species.

In addition, the new legislation should allow Natural England to grant wildlife management licences for landowners to control beaver populations in places where they bring negative impacts, such as flooding in farmlands. The legislation is designed in a way that will also ensure that farmers are able to control these effects.

"The potential impacts that beavers can have on agricultural land are of concern to the NFU; undermining riverbanks, damaging trees, impeding farmland drainage, and causing low-lying fields to flood," said Richard Bramley, the NFU's environment forum chair.

He adds that they ensure an effective and bureaucracy-free management framework put in place before the beavers are legally protected.

Nonetheless, with much of the UK currently scorching in heatwaves, experts see the crucial importance of beavers - a keystone species known for creating habitats for other animals.

"The amount of water they can hold in the land is just phenomenal," says ecologist Hetty Grant, allowing other animals to thrive and have space "to behave naturally" amidst the rising temperatures.