Plans to reintroduce the Eurasian beaver to the Isle of Wight have been criticised by concerned members of the farming community.
All households across the Island have received a survey to see whether locals support the reintroduction of beavers on the Island.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has appointed a Beaver Recovery Officer to advance their plans to release beavers into the catchment area of the Eastern Yar.
The trust believes that beaver ponds can provide excellent spawning grounds for fish such as trout and amphibians such as newts and that beavers can help rural economies by attracting wildlife watchers and eco-tourists. The trust also says that beaver dams can hold back water during heavy rain, minimising the risks of flash flooding.
Izzie Tween, Beaver Recovery Project Officer for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, says:
“Beavers are ecosystem engineers, transforming habitats and creating wetlands that benefit wildlife and people. We think beavers are so brilliant that we hope to release them here on the Isle of Wight.”
However, not everyone from the farming community agrees with the positive assessment of the impact of beavers on the Isle of Wight economy and ecosystem.
Mark Coventry owns Lower Luton farm near Northwood. Mark describes himself as an environmentally conscious farmer and is also a qualified zoologist. Mark says:
“People think of beavers as nice little cuddly critters. But they are big animals, over 30 kilograms in weight. They have no natural predators on the Island. Foxes won’t predate them because they are too big.
“So much the beaver group is saying is just not true. The last record of beaver in the UK was 500 years ago. There is no record of beavers on the Isle of Wight. Beavers are being ‘introduced’ not ‘reintroduced’.
“Beavers will not limit flooding as heavy rain will destroy their dams. They will kill oak trees, which won’t survive having their roots flooded. Tourists won’t be able to come to beaver ponds because of the dangers of falling trees.”
Caroline Knox of Marvel Farms in the Arreton Valley is on the environmental forum of the NFU (National Farmers’ Union). She says:
“I’m very interested in wildlife, and I’ve been to Scotland where beavers have been introduced. I’ve seen what beavers have done there both in wilder areas and the farming environment.
“The Wildlife Trust claim they can control any beavers released. But beavers are elusive and hard to find. They won’t stay on the Eastern Yar.
“Arable land is very important. Everyone has to eat. My concern is that if beavers dam water ditches, the land will not drain and become useless for agriculture.
“I’m a nature lover. But on such a busy island, I’d be concerned that beavers will come into conflict with land use, people, dogs and traffic.
“Although not all farmers are opposed to beaver reintroduction, land use has changed since humans last lived with beavers in the UK, and there are valid concerns that need to be addressed.”
Isle of Wight NFU chair Robyn Munt from Parkwater Farm Newport said:
“When it comes to the reintroduction of a species, particularly to an area the size of the Island, careful consideration must be given to any impacts arising from reintroduction so that farmers can continue to manage land and produce our food. We are closely liaising with HIWWT and have raised our concerns about the long term management and controls that will be required if this species is reintroduced here.
“Whilst we acknowledge the benefits that beavers could bring, in terms of habitat creation and water management, we have concerns about the saturation of grazing land and the flooding of productive and low lying fields of the fertile Arreton Valley, (surrounding the immediate release area), and beyond. Farmers and landowners also have concerns about damage to trees, crops and infrastructure from burrowing – these concerns must be addressed first before any licence is granted.
“We have spoken to farmers in Scotland where they have been grappling with issues around beavers for more than 15 years and are still struggling to find adequate ways to manage them. Therefore, we are concerned about where responsibility would lie in the future for their management, in the event that a licence is granted for beaver reintroduction, and, eventually, a wild beaver population expands throughout the Island’s river and stream network.”
For further information about the beaver recovery project contact [email protected].
It would be great to have beavers here on the island.
But I think that the farmers are right.
The island is to overpopulated and far to small. shame.
Ask the farmers, they will have to cope with the consquences.
If they think it is a bad idea do not do it.
“But on such a busy island, I’d be concerned that beavers will come into conflict with land use, people, dogs and traffic.”
Spot on. If I was wildlife I’d be packing my bags not moving in.
Many people were worried about reintroducing White Tailed Eagles – siting they take lambs etc but we haven’t seen or heard that happening here on the island.
Beavers don’t eat lambs, eagle’s don’t build dams.
Anybody ever seen a poor farmer
Most farmers have huge overdrafts to farm and hopefully make a little profit , farming is a way of life that many do for the good of the environment that they live in
Stupid idea, just another ego trip for a few.
Very accurate observation.Beavers fell trees,red squirrels occupy many of said trees.I sense a conflict of interest ahoy.Moronic concept straight from the mainlands…”Hey let’s import some of those cute Yank Greys,and see how they interact with the indigenous reds”….turned out well didn’t it ?..Cretins call the shots as ever.
Oh and while we are at it. Why not Wolves, Bears, Wild Boar & re-populate Sandown Bay with Great White Sharks? All used to roam around the Island.
They make excellent eating, so I am all for it.
we should encourage beaver at all times
Whoop whoop.
Most employers including farmers love employees that work like beavers so why not the real thing
What disgraceful opinions some people have ! why are so many people threatened by introducing a native species back to the island ? No one has ever said they will run wild destroying everything, calm down and learn to share ,I know that’s hard for the human race to do sometimes!
I think that you have just answered your own argument.
They are not a native species. They are Eurasian Beaver, so not and never been indigenous to this Island.
Facts from RSPB, woodland trust, wildlife trust ,the Eurasian Beaver is is native to The UK and would still be here if it hadn’t driven it to extinction by humans who didn’t share the land either !
The UK for sure, but native to the Island? I did a search and found no record of them being recorded here in the past. Whilst their activities may help prevent flooding downstream of their dams, that’s only because they’re holding the it back upstream and increasing the flood risk there. The Yar already floods at Langbridge and other locations upstream of the proposed release site, so I wouldn’t fancy living in those areas if the release does happen.
Revenue anxiety aside, everybody benefits from less flooding and a healthy river.