Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, announced yesterday plans to ensure beavers are recognised as a native species in Wales and legally protected from deliberate harm to them or their habitats, giving beavers the same legal protection afforded to other European Protected Species.
The reintroduction of beavers would contribute to the delivery of a number of key policies and legislation, including the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act (2015) and the National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management in Wales. But it is also welcome progress towards beaver restoration across Britain and brings Wales in line with the existing protected status policy in Scotland and England. Cross-border consistency is important given the number of beavers currently residing in cross-border river catchments.
We hope that this will be the first step in the wider restoration of beavers to Wales. It is crucial that the provision of additional protection for beavers is swiftly followed by the publication of an appropriate management framework, wild release licensing system and national beaver strategy.
We recognise and appreciate the longstanding work undertaken by Wildlife Trusts Wales and partner organisations to get to this point. Beaver Trust looks forward to continuing to work with the Welsh Government and other stakeholders to support the proactive restoration of the Eurasian beaver across Wales, offering an opportunity for nature recovery and building climate resilience.