Correspondence beavers for EIR ref RFI6739
DWOE000351905
From: XXXX
XXXX
Standard reply.
DWOE000352229
From: XXXX
Dear XXXX
XXXX
[Sent in response to standard reply.]
To : XXXX
CC :
Subject : Beavers
Dear XXXX
Thank you for your further email of 7 July about beavers. I have been asked to reply.
Whilst it is true that beavers have been judged to have a positive impact on some locations
outside of the UK, it would not be safe to assume that they will do so likewise here in the UK.
In addition to no two circumstances being identical the British landscape has changed
immeasurably since they were last present here in the 16th century. During this period they
have continued to be present elsewhere in Europe. We take a precautionary approach to
considering the release of species into the wild to ensure that they do not have any
detrimental effect on the environment and that the location is suitable for the animals’ long
term survival and welfare.
Because the origins of the beavers on the River Otter are uncertain they may host parasite
Echinococcus multilocularis (EM). It is necessary to undertake a medical examination of the
animals to confirm the presence or absence of the parasites as it exists in cysts and the
larval form in beavers and is not passed in their faeces. It is, therefore, necessary to capture
the animals and transfer them to a suitable facility for testing. We intend to do this in a way
which best addresses the welfare interests of the animals, for example ensure that any
young are captured with their parents to ensure their survival whilst they remain reliant.
Once tested, and if proven to be free of the parasite, we intend to re-home the animals in a
suitable location.
Yours sincerely,
XXXX
Customer Contact Unit
Defra
MC00000352820
XXXX
As you will see from this correspondence, XXXX, outlines his concerns with regards to the
the points XXXX has raised with me, so that I may respond to my constituent
From:
XXXX
XXXX
Thank you for your letter of 9 July on behalf of your constituent, XXXX, of XXXX about beavers.
I believe XXXX may be referring to articles that have appeared in the media about
DWOE000351522
Dear Sirs
I am writing to you about the beavers on the River Otter in Devon.
I understand it is your intention to "remove" these innocent animals, apparently on the
request of anglers. I believe the landowner is happy with their presence and they are
becoming a tourist attraction, which must surely be good for the area. They are indigenous.
Why on earth, then, are you acting on the misguided wishes of a few anglers?? Instead you
should be educating these people that the beavers don't eat fish (although would have a
perfect right if they did) and that they in fact enhance the habitat, making it more attractive to
fish and other wildlife. Some just have a knee jerk reaction to anything new and this should
not be accepted. Like the NFU only representing a tiny percentage of farmers, I would
suspect that this association does not represent many anglers, and that most would be
delighted to see beavers on the river. Please reconsider this decision.
Yours faithfully,
XXXX
Standard reply.
DWOE000351919
From: XXXX
Reply to: XXXX
XXXX
Standard reply.
DWOE000351920
From: XXXX
XXXX
Standard reply.
DWOE000351921 (repeated as DWOE000351935)
From: XXXX
Reply to: XXXX
XXXX
Standard reply.
DWOE000351938
From: XXXX
XXXX
Standard reply.
DWOE000351943
From: XXXX
XXXX
Standard reply.
MC00000352670
I am writing to you after being contacted by my constituent XXXX with regard to feeling
XXXX
Thank you for your letter of 10 July on behalf of your constituent, XXXX, about beavers.
I believe XXXX may be referring to articles that have appeared in the media
DWOE000352207
From: XXXX
[Sent in response to standard reply.]
To : XXXX
CC :
Subject : Beavers
Dear XXXX,
Thank you for your further email of 7 July in response to mine of the same day.
Your views have been noted.
Yours sincerely,
XXXX
Customer Contact Unit
Defra
DWOE000352208
From: XXXX
XXXX
Standard reply.
DWOE000352209
From: XXXX
XXXX
Standard reply.
DWOE000352211
From: XXXX
XXXX
Standard reply.
DWOE000352216
From: XXXX
XXXX
Standard reply.
DWOE000352217
From: XXXX
XXXX
Standard reply.
DWOE000352218
From: XXXX
Cc: XXXX
XXXX, my considered opinion is that your department
XXXX
Standard reply.
DWOE000352219
From: XXXX
In the past I carried out fieldwork in beaver habitat in
XXXX and also XXXX that were probably
created by beavers thousands of years ago.
XXXX
Standard reply.
DWOE000352220
From: XXXX
XXXX
Standard reply.
DWOE000352226
From: XXXX
XXXX
Standard reply.
DWOE000352227
From: XXXX
XXXX
XXXX
[This responds to previous standard reply.]
To : XXXX
CC :
Subject : Beavers
Dear XXXX,
Thank you for your further email of 7 July in response to mine of the same day.
Your views have been noted.
Yours sincerely,
XXXX
Customer Contact Unit
Defra
DWOE000352228
From: XXXX
XXXX
MC00000352245
DWOE000352231
From: XXXX
Dear XXXX
XXXX
[This responds to previous standard reply.]
To : XXXX
CC :
Subject : Beavers
Dear XXXX,
Thank you for your email of 7 July to about beavers. I have been asked to reply.
We appreciate the concerns you have and have noted what you say but unfortunately there
is nothing further I can add to our previous reply.
Yours sincerely,
XXXX
Customer Contact Unit
Defra
DWOE000351993
Dear
XXXX Thank you for your response, which was mainly a reiteration of your department's press
release. May I ask you to read this comprehensive article by George Monbiot, which deals
with the potential parasite problem and sets out the advantages of retuning beavers to the
environment. Please take the wishes of the public into account.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/georgemonbiot/2014/jul/04/stop-control-freaks-
capture-englands-wild-beavers
Yours sincerely,
XXXX
To : XXXX
CC :
Subject : Beavers
Dear XXXX,
Thank you for your email of 4 July about beavers. I have been asked to reply.
Your further views have been noted.
Yours sincerely,
XXXX
Customer Contact Unit
Defra
DWOE000352686
From: XXXX
XXXX
Standard reply.
DWO0000354517
XXXX
July 3rd 2014
Dear D Cameron
I don’t suppose you will read this letter but this is just another reason why I and many other people
would never support the Conservative Party again.
I truely hope that the Torys lose the next election.
Yours faithfully
XXXX
DWOE000354416
From: XXXX
From: PS/Lord de Mauley (Secretariat)
Sent: 30 June 2014 09:01
To: XXXX (Defra)
Cc: XXXX (Defra)
Subject: FW: Beavers in Devon
XXXX,
Some assistance offered in the beaver situation. Would you consider and let me/ XXXX know if this is
something you may want to take up. Thanks,
XXXX
Lord de Mauley’s Private Office
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
T: XXXX
M: XXXX
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
From: GALE, Roger
<xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xx> Sent: Saturday, 28 June 2014 17:36
To: DE MAULEY, Rupert
Subject: Fwd: Beavers in Devon
Dear Rupert,
XXXX, who is the driving force behind the Wildwood British Wildlife Park in my constituency, is every
bit as expert as he claims and worthy of considerable attention.
He could well be of considerable assistance to you and you might well, when you have time, wish to
see him. I would be delighted to introduce you personally.
With very best wishes
Roger
I
Sent from my iPad
Begin forwarded message:
From: "XXXX, Wildwood Trust"
<XXXX>> Date: 27 June 2014 11:40:51 BST
To:
Cc:
<xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xx<mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xx>> Subject: Beavers in Devon
The Rt Hon. The Lord de Mauley
My Lord:
Regarding Beavers living wild in Devon.
I advised Richard Benyon on a similar situation last year and would welcome the chance to reiterate
what I said then and how the situation was quickly resolved and without negative media interest,
keeping the local landowners and community very happy.
This issue is unlikely to go away and any action to remove the beavers could become an
embarrassing farce, as it did in Scotland, and role on to the next election.
My MP, Sir Roger Gale, will vouch for me as an expert in this field and an honest actor in such issues.
I have 15 years’ experience of managing beavers and access to the best veterinary and animal
management experts in the country. I hope I could advise you to adopt a simple programme of
testing and monitoring that can easily resolve this issue and ensure no negative publicity.
While I sympathise with the concerns of some in the angling and farming community, much of which
is born from a lack of experience, I do feel that this is countered by the strength of feeling of many
experts and leaders in the wildlife conservation community who will not support any action to
remove the beaver, and that concern would grow as the likely outcome could be very messy.
The reason why so many ecologists support beavers so strongly is due to their amazing ability to
make our streams and rivers create wildlife habitat and play a significant role saving species like
water voles and other river based wildlife. Beavers, in time, can also make a significant contribution
to flood prevention and meeting our Water Framework Directive targets, all at no cost to the
taxpayer!
Yours faithfully,
XXXX
Chief Executive
Wildwood Trust