Written Question · S5W-19380 · Session 5
What its response is to the paper, Scottish Natural Heritage Research Report 1013 - Survey of the Tayside area beaver population 2017-2018,…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the paper, Scottish Natural Heritage Research Report 1013
- Survey of the Tayside area beaver population 2017-2018, and, in light of it recording an increase in beaver numbers and its call for appropriate management measures, by what date it will (a) meet its commitment to secure European Protected Species status for the species and (b) implement a national approach to the management of beavers to ensure that they can be killed only under licence when all other management techniques have been unsuccessful.
The answer
The Scottish Government has noted the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Research Report 1013
- Survey of the Tayside area beaver population 2017-2018, which highlights the increased number of beavers and their expanding range in the Tayside area.
While it is acknowledged that beavers can have a positive effect on biodiversity, their ability to modify their environment can have a detrimental impact on some types of land use, in particular farming systems where growing crops depends on effective field drainage and flood protection.
The Scottish Government and SNH have been working closely with agriculture and other land management and conservation stakeholders on an approach to the management of beavers and, where necessary, their licensed control when they are given protected species status. This work is nearing completion.
A Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) which will provide protection to beavers will be laid before the Scottish Parliament in due course. The SSI will add beavers to Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994.
- Survey of the Tayside area beaver population 2017-2018, which highlights the increased number of beavers and their expanding range in the Tayside area.
While it is acknowledged that beavers can have a positive effect on biodiversity, their ability to modify their environment can have a detrimental impact on some types of land use, in particular farming systems where growing crops depends on effective field drainage and flood protection.
The Scottish Government and SNH have been working closely with agriculture and other land management and conservation stakeholders on an approach to the management of beavers and, where necessary, their licensed control when they are given protected species status. This work is nearing completion.
A Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) which will provide protection to beavers will be laid before the Scottish Parliament in due course. The SSI will add beavers to Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-19380 by reference.