Highland MSP slates 'forcing' of beavers into Badenoch and Strathspey

With the release of beavers into the Spey imminent – perhaps even this weekend – a local MSP has criticised the way the reintroduction of the species has been handled.

Conservative Edward Mountain told the Strathy: "I am hugely disappointed that the Cairngorms National Park Authority and the Government have forced through the reintroduction of beavers to Strathspey, ignoring farmers and concerned residents and neighbours."

With biodiversity minister Lorna Slater expected in Rothiemurchus tomorrow, Mr Mountain condemned the timing and manner of the exercise.

"They have done so without agreeing a management plan and fully funded mitigation measures.

"It is acts like these that annoy and frustrate those who rely on the land and water for a living, prioritising those who want to bring back species that have been extinct for over 200 years without understanding the real implications.

"I believe we will regret this release and what it will have done to alienate those that have urged caution."

Local farmers have made no secret of their anguish over the lack of a formal – and written –mitigation agreement with those who work the areas which will be affected by the arrival of 'nature's engineers'.

But a spokesperson for the national park authority issued a robust rebuttal of the criticisms this weekend.

“From the outset of the beaver project, the park authority has been keen to hear from a wide range of farmers and land managers to inform our approach.

"We have consulted extensively with the sector over the past few months, including 37 site visits, 19 meetings with land managers and eight dedicated public drop-in events.

“We have developed a comprehensive management and mitigation plan for the project, which responds to specific concerns raised by land managers during the consultation and builds on the national Beaver Mitigation Scheme (operated by NatureScot).

“This plan was shared with farmers via the Spey Crofters and Farmers’ Group on December 7 and with Mr Mountain earlier this afternoon. It was summarised on our website at the end of November.

"The park authority has also allocated financial and staff resources and made a specific commitment around flood banks, contrary to Mr Mountain’s statement.

“We look forward to working with land managers and others on the implementation of the mitigation and management plan over the coming weeks and months.”

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