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Species Reintroductions
03 March 2025
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
At a Glance
Issue Summary
The statement addresses the wild release and management of beavers in England, outlining a licensing scheme for reintroductions and providing support mechanisms.
Action Requested
The Government is setting out its approach to the wild release of beavers through Natural England's assessment of licence applications. The first expression of interest window opens on March 1, 2025, with criteria designed to ensure high-benefit projects are licensed. Support measures and management plans are also being put in place.
Key Facts
- Beavers were once widespread across England but became extinct due to overhunting.
- The National Trust received a licence to release beavers into the wild as part of their Purbeck Beaver Project on 10 February 2025.
- A licensing scheme requires applications against comprehensive criteria, and only high-benefit projects will be licenced.
- The first expression of interest window opens from 1 March 2025 and closes on 2 May 2025.
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