What consideration has the Welsh Government given to legally protecting beavers in Wales to prevent them from being captured, injured, killed or disturbed, or their breeding sites or resting places from being damaged or destroyed?
Beavers were part of our native wildlife and their activities can help create rich and varied habitats, which can harbour a greater diversity of wildlife species along rivers and in wetlands and help alleviate flooding. This can make Wales’ environment stronger and healthier, especially as we face ever greater pressures on our air, land and water. However, the activities of beavers can also have undesired impacts can require management entailing legal protection and licensing.
My officials have studied the legal protections introduced in England. I have requested NRW undertake a wide review of beaver issues in the Welsh context, which will include an analysis of the appropriateness of the English approach and what legal provisions we should implement in Wales. This work is ongoing.
My officials are sensitive to the concerns of angling, farming and flood risk management in Wales. They attend regular meetings with Wildlife Crime Police Officers and have called for a meeting about the protection of beavers.