This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Executive rejects proposal to reintroduce beavers
01/09/2005
The Executive has decided not to approve an application to proceed with a trial re-introduction of the European beaver to Scotland.
Ministers had examined the case presented by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) but turned it down because of concerns about the particular proposal in relation to European legal requirements.
Deputy Environment and Rural Development Minister Rhona Brankin said the decision did not rule out consideration of any future applications for species re-introductions and indicated her support for the work SNH is undertaking to develop a Species Conservation Framework for Scotland.
She said she attached importance to this as a basis for determining future priorities for action on species issues.
She continued:
"I am grateful to SNH for its imagination and effort. I realise that it has taken a number of years to research, investigate and prepare for such an application and all who have supported this proposal are to be commended.
"The door is not closed to future reintroductions and I would expect part of the new strategic approach on the conservation framework to include evaluation of possible species re-introduction, as well as work on perceived threats, including those from the introduction of invasive non-native species.
"The framework that SNH will take forward will ensure that our resources are targeted at conserving those species most important to the special status of Scotland and those most at risk."
The Executive's decision letter on the application to SNH sets out the reasons for for rejecting the application.
These are:
Part of the trial area, Knapdale Woods, is a European Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The plan outlined by SNH highlighted 'possible negative effects on the SAC' such as the Western Atlantic Oak Woodland and lochs with aquatic vegetation, both of which are features of this site. A recent European Court judgement suggests that any intervention in a SAC where there is scientific doubt about the prospect of a negative environmental impact would be likely to infringe the European Habitats Directive
The exit strategy proposed by SNH involved the potential killing of any beavers found outwith the trial site or causing more damage than might initially have been considered. Any beaver introduced to Scotland would be protected under European law which raises doubts about the legality and practicality of the exit strategy
Key goals of the SNH species framework will be to develop clear policies on
The framework will also take into account the new duty placed on all public bodies under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act to contribute to halting biodiversity loss.
The framework is expected to recognise priorities based on statutory responsibilities to protected species and policy responsibility to address threats to any species' population viability.