Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the potential role of beavers in restoring England’s chalk streams.

This Government is committed to the restoration of our cherished chalk streams. With 85% of the world’s chalk streams found in the UK, these unique water bodies are not just vital ecosystems but a symbol of our national heritage.

Beavers are part of the natural chalk stream fauna, and we view that these ecosystem engineers can contribute to the Government’s aspiration to deliver a healthy, sustainable water environment for people, businesses, and nature at a catchment scale. Defra and the Environment Agency are working with Natural England, stakeholders, and Beaver Management Groups, and other partners to inform and support these aims.