A Consultation on the Beavers in Scotland Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report

Overview

This is a consultation about the policy to reintroduce beavers to Scotland and whether the appropriate mitigation measures have been identified. Views are also being sought on a Strategic Environmental Assessment that has been undertaken of this policy of reintroduction.

View the full consultation paper here

Why your views matter

Scottish Ministers announced on 24 November 2016 that the beaver populations in Knapdale in Argyll and in the Tay and Earn catchments could remain in Scotland subject to satisfactory completion of a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) and a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). These assessments have now been carried out.

The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, requires that a SEA be carried out where a policy, plan or programme is likely to have a significant environmental impact.

What happens next

Responses received will be analysed to see whether the Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report has correctly identified potential impacts and appropriate mitigation measures regarding the reintroduction of beavers to Scotland.

Following satisfactory completion of the Consultation process, it is the intention of the Scottish Government to put in place protection for beavers as required by the Habitats Directive. A Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) would add beavers to Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994. Following Scottish Parliamentary approval of an SSI as above, beavers would be classified as a European Protected Species.