All you need to know about... bringing back the beaver

Extinct in Britain since the 1800s, this remarkable, once native, creature could offer a host of benefits to our river systems. But does its return pose too great a threat to farmland and other wildlife? By Catherine Butler

Why is it in the news?

In May four families of European beavers were released into a remote Scottish glen in a pilot project and Natural England, the Government's advisory body, is considering returning beavers to our waterways.

Why consider it?

The species is native to Britain. In the 16th century, they were hunted for their pelts, meat and the medicinal properties of their scent glands and by the 1800s beavers were extinct. As an EU member state, we are legally required to contemplate their reintroduction as part of our commitment to conservation, and according to a report from Natural England and the People's Trust for Endangered Species, there is evidence they could bring huge benefits.

What's the case for beavers?

They are a ‘keystone species', which means that their loss has a profound effect on a landscape. They manage riverbanks, wetlands and forest habitats by building dams, felling trees, coppicing waterside vegetation by feeding on woody plant species, and creating ponds. Beaver dams reduce flow rates, lowering the risk of flooding. Crucially, they also clean rivers by creating ponds that take silt and pollution out of the system. South West Water is considering a proposal to license the introduction of a small number that would filtrate the water upstream before it reaches their treatment works. In the longer term, this could mean lower bills for customers.

What about existing wildlife?

We are struggling to meet the Government's biodiversity action plan targets that aim to halt the loss of British wildlife by next year. The National Farmers' Union argues this should be our priority, not reintroducing extinct species. But cleaner rivers would mean improved conditions for fish spawning - beavers could, therefore, help us to meet such targets.

Won't trees suffer?

Native species evolved to respond to beaver damage by sprouting from the bottom - the practice of coppicing mimics this. Beavers tend to fell only small trees that they are able to drag; valuable trees can be protected with wire mesh.

The Scottish trial in Knapdale is on Forestry Commission land and it believes that beavers will benefit woods and create mixed wetland habitats. Although it has no plans for pilots in England, it is not against trials as a first stage in beavers' reintroduction.

Do they pose a threat to crops?

The Country Land & Business Association says beavers would destroy crops, and that it would be wrong to return them to a landscape that has been farmed for centuries. Reintroductions in Europe, however, have shown that beavers are not difficult to manage, and crops can be protected by fencing. Farmers argue that the cost of putting such measures in place is too great, particularly in light of the current economic climate. They are also concerned about the flooding of low-lying grazing land, although high-risk areas would be identified first. The NFU believes that in the long term a reintroduction would be hard to restrict to specific areas.

Where would the reintroductions happen?

The most suitable areas in England for beavers include the New Forest, the Peak District and the Forest of Bowland since they all have river systems or wetlands with natural barriers to unlimited expansion and would provide good beaver habitat. Other factors would have to be considered, too, including the conservation status of an area. Many rivers in the UK could accommodate beavers, but issues such as proximity to densely populated areas or farmland have ruled them out.

The Country Living verdict

We want to see beavers return to Britain but recognise that the land has seen dramatic changes since they last inhabited our woodland and waterways. Aside from the environmental benefits, including the restoration of our forest ecosystem, bringing back beavers could also stimulate public interest in conserving wildlife and increase rural tourism. Successful reintroductions have worked elsewhere so why not here?

What's your view? Let us know in the comments box below

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