In response to a Guardian article published on 12 Jan claiming that Downing Street has blocked plans to release wild beavers in England because officials view it as a “Tory legacy”.

John Varley, CEO of Clinton Devon Estates had this letter published yesterday. 

Your article suggests the government has decided not to authorise the release of beavers into the wild. I am afraid it is too late. Here in east Devon we’ve had families of beavers living wild on the River Otter for a number of years. Our estate was part of the first “beaver trial”, along with partners in the Devon Wildlife Trust and the University of Exeter, after a small number were sighted in the wild on our land. After the trial, the beavers were allowed to remain – there are more than 170 of them now, and they are expanding their range across and beyond the original catchment.

The beaver is a remarkable rodent, and can help water quality, biodiversity and “slowing the flow” to help prevent flooding. It can also be a bit of a nuisance. It has had a few negative impacts on local farming activity, highway and property flooding. And a few precious trees owned by local residents have been felled. If the policy is not to release them into the wild, will someone from Defra get in touch to arrange collection of ours, please, before they move to surrounding counties?
John Varley
CEO, Clinton Devon Estates

Note: A government spokesperson said: “This story is categorically untrue. The government is working with Natural England to review options on species reintroduction, including beavers.”

PS John Varley doesn’t strike Owl as a “natural” Guardian reader, so maybe he saw it on EDW.