With recent speculation regarding beavers see below the current position of WUF from this letter written to the Times -where else would you write one -by Mr S. Marsh-Smith Seems we are getting all political now -a candidate at the next election perhaps!! and obviously doesn't like Brexit or beavers. I suspect the likely cut off of EA funds is the main concern WHEN Brexit goes through. as for Japanese knot weed I was under the impression that after considerable funding it had been
mostly eradicated but obviously not.
Wuf has sent out details in a newsletter warning of potential dangers and this is what I sent to the Times, titled Brexit and Beavers:
Sir, Brexit and Beavers: what’s the connection? Recently, two prominent pro Brexit ministers have pledged support for the reintroduction of beavers to our rivers. Like Brexit, the advantages of so doing might, at face value, seem as obvious as leaving the EU. What’s not to like about these cuddly mustalids? They are feted to clean up our rivers by building dams and getting rid of those worrisome bankside trees and shrubs. If the experience of Bavaria is anything to go by, in future decades we could see tens and perhaps even hundreds of thousands of these industrious creatures who will be free of their natural predator, man. They are no strangers to urban environments and parks, blocking spillways ditches and outflows. They help to flood farm land too. Great, unless you have to pay compensation as they are now having to do in Bavaria.
Brexit came with promises of extra money for the NHS and yes, it will change hands but sadly the other way. On closer analysis, beavers have some unexpected bad habits; their penchant for the invasive Japanese Knotweed will see an explosion of that, as little pieces spread down with the current and take root as is happening in parts of Scotland. In our current climate change scenario, how many degrees will be added to water temperature as banksides tree cover is eliminated. In any case, is this introduction just another surrogate for properly managing our essential riverine habitat which needs to deliver so much more for us? How carefully should we consider the advice from any Brexit minister on the subject of beavers?
Dr Stephen Marsh – Smith OBE
Chief Executive Afonydd Cymru The Rivers Trusts of Wales
Sir, Brexit and Beavers: what’s the connection? Recently, two prominent pro Brexit ministers have pledged support for the reintroduction of beavers to our rivers. Like Brexit, the advantages of so doing might, at face value, seem as obvious as leaving the EU. What’s not to like about these cuddly mustalids? They are feted to clean up our rivers by building dams and getting rid of those worrisome bankside trees and shrubs. If the experience of Bavaria is anything to go by, in future decades we could see tens and perhaps even hundreds of thousands of these industrious creatures who will be free of their natural predator, man. They are no strangers to urban environments and parks, blocking spillways ditches and outflows. They help to flood farm land too. Great, unless you have to pay compensation as they are now having to do in Bavaria.
Brexit came with promises of extra money for the NHS and yes, it will change hands but sadly the other way. On closer analysis, beavers have some unexpected bad habits; their penchant for the invasive Japanese Knotweed will see an explosion of that, as little pieces spread down with the current and take root as is happening in parts of Scotland. In our current climate change scenario, how many degrees will be added to water temperature as banksides tree cover is eliminated. In any case, is this introduction just another surrogate for properly managing our essential riverine habitat which needs to deliver so much more for us? How carefully should we consider the advice from any Brexit minister on the subject of beavers?
Dr Stephen Marsh – Smith OBE
Chief Executive Afonydd Cymru The Rivers Trusts of Wales
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