Reintroducing species to habitats – MPs weigh risk and reward
The Committee holds a public evidence session on the policies governing species reintroduction in England. While reintroductions can contribute to biodiversity goals, they can also present challenges for farmers and other land users.
Meeting details
Species reintroduction is the return of regionally extinct plants or animals to their natural historic locations. Examples of successful reintroductions already carried out in the UK include the ladybird spider and the red kite. More controversial has been the reintroduction of animals such as the white-tailed sea eagle, which boost tourism while expanding biodiversity, but concerns about their reintroduction include threats to livestock and smaller birds.
This evidence session will look particularly at:
- Keystone species – species that have a significant effect on their environment and improve wider biodiversity, such as the Eurasian beaver.
- The regulatory framework – including the 2021 Environment Act that has targets for improving species abundance.
- The importance of meaningful stakeholder consultation – including with farmers, other land users and residents.
- The potential impact on farming practices – for example if lynx were reintroduced in the UK, as has been mooted, farmers have said that sheep may have to be reared indoors, particularly at vulnerable times such as lambing, to reduce the risk of attacks.
MPs are likely to ask questions about the role species reintroduction can have in nature recovery and restoration. They will also ask how reintroductions should best be managed in an environment where farming has evolved in the – in some cases - hundreds of years since certain animals became extinct from England.