To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to prevent the illegal release of beavers into the wild.
Answered on
30 January 2025
This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.
Recent speculation in the media was factually incorrect. Defra will continue to work with Natural England to develop our approach to beaver reintroductions and management in England. This work includes consideration of how to prevent further unauthorised release of beavers into the wild.
It is an offence to release a beaver in England without a licence from Natural England. Doing so without a licence carries a penalty of either an unlimited fine or up to six months in prison.