After visiting flood hit Alyth on Monday, Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, Murdo Fraser has called on Scottish Government Minister Aileen McLeod to launch an inquiry into the severity of flooding in the town and whether beavers played a role in exacerbating the situation.
The Conservative MSP has written to the Minister for Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform calling for a full investigation into the contributory factors that resulted in many town centre homes and businesses flooding.
Residents in Alyth reported felled trees with clear signs of rodents teeth marks floating down the river and becoming trapped on the towns numerous bridges.
The Government is currently adjudicating on whether to reintroduce beavers across the whole of Scotland following a trial in Argyll and Tayside.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“The Scottish Government has an important decision to make on the reintroduction of the beaver throughout Scotland and they must take a thorough look at the flooding in Alyth before making any decision. The devastated residents in Alyth who have lost homes and businesses deserve answers as to why their town has been flooded so badly.
“Of course the authorities can do nothing to mitigate against the heavy rains falling on Alyth last week but residents are clear that there are contributory factors that resulted in the severity of flooding - it is up to the Government to investigate this.
“Trees felled in the Den of Alyth, and poor drainage are perhaps as much to blame as gnawed wood from beavers but until there is definitive evidence to prove beavers are not at fault it would unwise for the government to rubber stamp their reintroduction throughout Scotland.”