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News

NFFN welcomes return of wild beavers to England

England
biodiversity
climate action
Defra
drought
flood management
Government
policy
species reintroduction
Trees

Bringing back nature’s engineers could help farmers manage both drought and flooding, restore biodiversity, and revive natural ecosystems - provided the right animals are reintroduced in the right places.

The NFFN has welcomed a landmark announcement from the Government, giving the green light to the return of wild beavers in parts of England.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has outlined plans to permit their release, with Natural England set to oversee a licensing system.

Anyone wishing to reintroduce beavers must develop a long-term management plan spanning a decade. The Government has also pledged support for farmers and landowners.

The NFFN welcomes the return of beavers and supports the Government's plan. We believe these semi-aquatic mammals can help farmers in tackling the climate crisis and extreme weather through their dam-building and habitat-creating activities.

Beavers also benefit society by forming wetlands that retain water, reducing flood risks while also creating rich, diverse habitats for wildlife.

With the impact of climate change increasingly being felt on farms, we need to prioritise nature-based flooding solutions over costly hard infrastructure and improve water management. Beavers can significantly contribute to these objectives.

Martin Lines

NFFN CEO Martin Lines said: "Beaver releases can have a major, positive impact on water management, biodiversity, and ecosystem restoration. As natural environmental engineers, they help create habitats and improve water quality. They can also support farmers by holding water which can be used during dry periods.

"Given the benefits they bring to farms and wider society, the Government's commitment to the responsible reintroduction of these animals is welcome. Licensed releases are the right approach to ensure positive outcomes, while unlicensed releases risk negative consequences. 

"A well-structured beaver management plan will ensure lethal control is only used when absolutely necessary, as a last resort after all other management options have been explored.

"With the impact of climate change increasingly being felt on farms, we need to prioritise nature-based flooding solutions over costly hard infrastructure and improve water management. Beavers can significantly contribute to these objectives."

We acknowledge concerns that reintroducing beavers could lead to damage to trees, riverbanks or farmland. However, we believe most issues arise when beavers are released in unsuitable locations. With well-planned management and adherence to best practices, these risks can be minimised.

We previously hosted a webinar on the benefits of beavers for farmland, which is available to watch on our YouTube channel.

Across the UK, the reintroduction of beavers presents a mixed picture. The Scottish Government has a strategy in place to support their return until 2045 and is committed to expanding their presence, including relocating beavers found in unsuitable locations.

In Wales, the Government announced in 2024 its support for the managed reintroduction of beavers. Meanwhile, there is no evidence to suggest that beavers were ever native to Northern Ireland.