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NatureScot supports an adaptive management approach to wildlife management and, in consultation with stakeholders through the Scottish Beaver Forum, keeps the Beaver Management Framework under constant review through application of their processes and guidance.

(a) When beavers became a European Protected Species in May 2019, NatureScot undertook to conduct a review of licensing after two years of operation. This review is underway, with the input from the Scottish Beaver Forum. In addition, the trialling of innovative mitigation measures and discussion on future rural support payments is intended to reduce the need for lethal control in the future.

(b) Work is ongoing to reduce the need for lethal control and NatureScot have announced that they would be open to applications under the Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations for the movement of beavers from conflict areas to other suitable locations within or on the edge of range of their existing their current range.

We are discussing with NatureScot the circumstances, including the experience with beaver management, which might allow the policy on translocation of beavers to include release sites outside their current range in Scotland.

 refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35895 on 19 March 2021 All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at .

No flood mitigation trials have deployed beavers translocated under licence from NatureScot in Scotland in 2020.

NatureScot did not issue or refuse any applications relating to the removal of beaver dams to prevent restriction of fish passage in 2020.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35895 on 19 March 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

COVID restrictions have limited some of NatureScot’s operational activities, including the ability to undertake site visits throughout 2020.

NatureScot has not carried out spot-checks on beaver licence compliance in 2020, but maintains contact with those in receipt of licences.

NatureScot is currently considering how routine site visits could be carried out in the future.

Compliance checks are made as part of checking licence returns.

(a) Discrepancies were identified in 3 licence returns from 2019 and have been followed up.

(b) 1 licence was revoked pending a site visit

Three licence holders failed to submit returns in 2020 and are currently being dealt with by NatureScot in accordance with the compliance process.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35895 on 19 March 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at .

The Scottish Government has not received any requests or expressions of interest from parties in England and Wales looking to acquire beavers.

Requests for the supply of beavers to populate projects in England and Wales do not routinely come directly to NatureScot. However, NatureScot works in collaboration with a beaver consultant and with Natural England and Natural Resources Wales.

The following projects have been granted release licences from Natural England and Natural Resources Wales, with NatureScot agreeing that animals can be sourced from Tayside.

The 2021-22 total operating budget allocation for beaver advice and mitigation is £91,000. This excludes staff costs (currently one full-time member of staff at £35,000 but due to increase to two full-time staff members).

A total of 24 licences were issued in 2020. Accounting for amendments, this equates to 21 separate licences broken down as follows:

• 2 were for photography (site visit not applicable)
• 1 was for mitigation and trapping for translocation (site visit not applicable)
• 4 were for public safety / public infrastructure (all had site visits)
• 2 were for mitigation works (both visited)
• 1 was for forestry (not visited)
• 11 were for agricultural damage (7 were visited, 1 of which was subsequently revoked pending a site visit).

Of the above, 9 permitted the licensed culling of beavers. The other 12 licences permitted non-lethal interventions.

*A new licence number is generated for every licence issued; this includes where amendments are made or licences renewed.