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

To ask His Majesty's Government why wild release beaver projects are required to produce a 10-year project plan; and what steps they are taking, if any, to support communities and landowners seeking to release beavers into the wild where there is high social and ecological feasibility, but who lack the resources to commit to a project plan covering at least a 10-year period.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

Whilst beavers can bring many benefits, their reintroduction must be carefully planned to avoid negative effects on farming, food production, and infrastructure. They pose challenges to those responsible for land and infrastructure in some locations, especially if their activity is not effectively managed.

The requirement for a 10-year project plan ensures that the licence holder takes responsibility for minimising the risk of negative effects and works with local landowners and managers to ensure the community has the support it needs to learn to live alongside beavers.

It is the responsibility of any beaver wild release project to secure the necessary resources for the duration of the project, as per the beaver wild release licensing criteria set out by Natural England. The Government is not providing funding for wild release licence applications.