Farmers have also raised concerns that 9% of land would be taken out of agricultural production across England under proposals in a new land use framework to boost wildlife and tackle climate change through creating new woodlands and restoring peatland and heathland habitats.
“For instance, you know, I’ve had people ask me questions at events like this before about solar farms on prime agricultural land, it will help us to prevent that happening, and help us to protect prime agricultural land for food production.
But Environment Secretary Steve Reed has told farmers at the National Farmers’ Union conference that under the land use framework “no one is going to force anyone to take anything out of agricultural production or do something else with it”.
Beavers are known as “ecosystem engineers” which create dams, channels and ponds that provide habitat for other wildlife, slow and store water to curb flooding and drought, store carbon and purify water and even attract “eco-tourists” who can boost the local economy.
Conservationists say problems can be resolved, with rapid response teams, work with communities to increase understanding of beavers, and financial incentives to help land managers earn a living while working alongside the animals and wetlands.
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