NFU fights bid to release beavers
THE country's biggest farming body says fears over exotic diseases is a key reason why it could not support the controversial re-introduction of beavers in the Westcountry.
Embryonic proposals to employ European beavers at the 730-acre Roadford Lake in rural West Devon is the most advanced scheme in England to return the native species to the wild.
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The South West Water plan has been met with scepticism by landowners who are worried about the consequences of felled trees and damaged building.
Prized for their fur, their meat and their scent glands, the rodent was once native to England until hunted to extinction 400 years ago.
Speaking to the Western Morning News, the countryside adviser to the National Farmers' Union (NFU) said the potential spread of viruses, including bluetongue and African horse sickness, was among a number of "big question marks" that loomed large over the plan.
Dr Andrea Graham, who this month visited West Devon with the union's animal health and welfare adviser and its regional environment adviser, is also concerned about a worrying lack of scientific data to support claims the beaver dams will help purify drinking water.
Dr Graham conceded that the ponds, wetlands and meadows formed by beaver dams had exceptional benefits for biodiversity. "You couldn't get a landscape designer to create what they create," she said. But she warned that creating richer habitats was "just one element".
Re-introduction would be a "costly luxury" in the current straitened economic climate, she argued, as the costs allied to beaver management, flood risk and quarantine procedures could be "significant". Halting the decline in existing resident wildlife was of more paramount concern, she added.
Dr Graham said: "The NFU could not support the re-introduction. There are too many question marks over the science available and a lack of information on possible disease. Also, there is still a beaver on the loose. That does not instil us with confidence in the capacity to manage it."
South West Water has said that if its "leap of faith" worked, water bills would come down for households across the region, as beaver dams would be among a parcel of "natural" alternatives to investing tens of millions of pounds in upgrading water treatment facilities.
But the NFU said it had not seen "good scientific evidence" to indicate purification would work. Dr Graham said: "Regarding Roadford Lake, the problem is that South West Water is supporting this in terms of water quality.
"Biodiversity is part of the issue, but they are saying they want to re-introduce beaver to improve the quality of the river. But to date, we have not seen good scientific evidence to show that the beaver would be able to do that."
Other issues included the potential for flooding in low-lying areas, that there were no naturally resident predators of beavers in England, and that beavers, in time, would attain the same protected status as the badger. Disease transmission, a growing concern as "new and emerging exotic diseases continue", was arguably a largely unknown area of potential risk.
She said: "One area we are concerned about is the biosecurity implications that have not been addressed. For example, with climate change, we are beginning to see different diseases. We're talking about diseases such as bluetongue and African horse sickness, transmitted by biting midges. What they like is standing water, and that is the environment beavers create."
"There just is not currently enough science to allay fears of any disease risks for us to put a stamp of approval on it."
The beaver that escaped from an enclosure in West Devon was also worrying.
She said: "You still also have the escapee. The fact it has been on the loose for so long is a bit disappointing."
The NFU was happy to be the bridge between those wanting to re-introduce beavers and landowners by helping to develop forums. Farmers could then be clearer on understanding the impacts because there "seems to be a some serious communications problems. But that's as far as the NFU's support can go."
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by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 10:39AM
“:| But Chris, haven't we got enough ecological problems in our cities to sort out at the moment without continually looking for new ones? . . Wouldn't it be better to try and improve the ecology of towns also before they mess up the countryside anymore? . . Have you driven over Mendip lately or down the A38? . Most of the ecological problems in Somerset have been caused by the Highways Agency and Somerset County Council. . Oh and of course Bristol Airport. . If it had been up to me I would have given all Electric vehicles free parking everywhere 30 years ago, and by now we would be charging up our commuter vehicles from home produced sources, completely independent of the National Grid. . Recharging points and mobile replacement battery service would be the norm. . Forget the BIKE, . Get a TWIKE”
by Chris, Cornwall
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 9:17AM
“Either that or they simply disagree with you Charles...”
by Chris, Cornwall
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 9:12AM
“No more coffee for you Charles...”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 8:58AM
“:| Interestingly I thought, these are a few of the comments from a previous Beaver report.
"Nothing will stop the Tristans and Tarquins from their evil ploy to make Scotland into a nature reserve for fluffy and furry animals, even though there's plenty of evidence that they are a cause of great damage to economic interests. Unfortunately, Tristan and Tarquin's cousins, Hamish and Quintin, seem to have infested the Scottish Executive and Natural Heritage."
"This Devonshire beaver weighs six stones. It is destroying on a huge scale. There used to be massive rewards for kiling them. I wonder why?"
"Nutters
800 years ago the population of England was not the 50 million it is today but perhaps a twentieth, and the population was agrarian and largely self sufficient with vast forests."
"Still global warming will be followed by an ice age and we, those left, can welcome the mammoths and sabre toothed tigers"
"They were hunted out of Scotland for a reason, don't bring them bring them back, they are not needed and will upset the present balance of nature here, once released there will be a hard task to reverse the decision."
"You got it in one! The 'Numpties' will certainly pay for any damage in the Knapdale area. We (the tax payer) own the release site by way of the Forestry Authority. It consists of trees, swamp and rock, do beaver eat swamp and rock, or dig holes in it? The last thing we need there is even more swamp! Lochgilphead's water supply source lies mighty close to the release area, surrounded by trees and swamp! I wonder if the beaver is another host to the cryptospirodium cyst? That caused havoc in Glasgow's water supply a few years ago, the sheep grazing the surroundings of the reservoirs carried it . Yup! The 'Numpties' will certainly be paying for any damage!"
"Here in Maple Ridge B.C.Canada we have lots of Beaver. As an Animal lover I am some times appalled at the damage they do.Recently I had to report a tree 6ft in circumference over 30ft high, across a favourite canoe river. They know no boundaries and will move miles to start a new lodge. Damming any nearby streams in the process .JBH"
Presumably the people who want to keep introducing these species, haven't got any proper work to do.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, June 22 2009, 9:48PM
“:| Chris. . I am not here to defend the NFU, I am in fact an arch critic of them, and I have no intention of getting into drawn out arguments about Beavers or Global warming or methane gas with you. . . I just take a particular interest in bTB and the nonsense talked about it. . And I support fox hunting. . . And Chris. . I have been a conservationist for over 35 years, and it costs me a small fortune. . I'll now wish you good evening.”
by Chris, Cornwall
Monday, June 22 2009, 9:21PM
“Have you actually read my reply Charles? It doesnt look like it to me, im afraid. Im trying Charles, I really am but you make it difficult, you really do! Im just trying to find some common ground, this invective really gets us nowhere. Pardon the pun but farmers are not sacred cows, you do get it wrong sometimes and it needs pointing out. I know the difficulties farmers face, I know how governments (especially this one) make ludicrous demands on you. But I maintain these issues affect us all and we have a right to point out the alternative view and present you with peer-reviewed and balanced scientific research which, sometimes, you may find unpalatable but it needs to be acknowledged.
I'll admit science is'nt always right and thats why it always strives to improve itself and find out more to benefit the world. You get it wrong sometimes too Charles but thats life. Ive no axe to grind with farmers, can you say the same about conservationists? Im not so sure...”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, June 22 2009, 9:19PM
“:| Don't despair Jeremy, the tide is turning. . The 'Countryside' has been under attack since 'Europe' first became involved. . British farming has been sold down the river. . The French would have never put up with it. . . The hectoring only arises now because farmers are too busy and there is a very vociferous animal rights lobby who mostly have never bred anything in their lives and are fed emotive nonsense by educationalists and the media. . It has always fascinated me how they even deride and abuse the veterinary profession, one of the most intellectual groups on the planet. . Did you know in times of War a Veterinary surgeons is allowed to operate on humans, but Doctors are not allowed to operate on animals. . Now there's a thought for you.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, June 22 2009, 8:48PM
“:| But Chris my friend, you are doing it again. . You talk always as if the 'farmers' are all 'fools' and anyway only temporary custodians so have no rights. . And anyway, you are right and they are always wrong. . . How many farmers do you actually know Chris?. . I suspect large numbers of them had pet ecological projects going before you were even born. . And when we get inane statements like the previous one about an infected badger set, do you wonder farmers are digging their heels in now. . If you are just interested in profit, the last thing you do ist go into farming.”
by Jeremy Ison, Exeter
Monday, June 22 2009, 8:20PM
“Whereas you Charles are quite used to people saying no to you?
As someone who knows as loves the Westcountry and the countryside I despair of the way in which the countryside movement has presented its arguments. I would ask you to consider how outsiders are likely to view this hectoring.
Having said that, I would like to make it clear that I am, like you, opposed to the 'reintroduction' of beavers (see the first comment about this article), but I feel that, unless sensible arguments can be deployed, we are onto a loser.”
by Chris, Cornwall
Monday, June 22 2009, 8:11PM
“Sorry Charles but you've got the wrong end of the stick. I was having a go a the NFU not farmers. I know the importance of farming, give me a bit of credit but ultimately your only custodians of the land. The environments you manage are important to us all, more important than unfortunatly some of your contempories realise. We could well be approaching the tipping point of national and global ecosystem breakdown and it irks me something rotten when fusty and arcane organisations like the NFU moan when proposals which will benefit the natural world are put forward, mainly due to the cost. As Ive said before, screw with the natural world at your peril, the value of what it provides us is more the the annual global domestic product, it runs into trillions.
There are many farmers both here and worldwide who realise this and do their damnedest to provide good food and a thriving environment. There are many who dont and couldnt give a monkeys about the ecological damage they cause, so long as the profits roll in.
Im not interested in trading insults with you Charles, it does'nt get us anywhere. I recognise the importance of your role and responsibilities but you dont have the right to arbiterily dismiss people who have an alternative view to you. These issues concern us all, c'mon Charles, work with us.”