Murdo Fraser MSP has asked the SNP Government whether it will compensate farmers in Perthshire who have suffered damage to their crops due to beavers.
The Scottish Conservative politician raised the issue at the Scottish Parliament with Lorna Slater, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, during a Portfolio Question session on Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands.
The Minister recently visited Perthshire when the matter was discussed.
Speaking during the PQ session at the Scottish Parliament, Mr Fraser said: “The Minister will be aware when she visits farmers in Perthshire, as will Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, that there are farmers located alongside the River Tay, River Ericht, and River Isla, who have suffered significant loss due to flooding damage and to crops due to beavers eroding traditional flood barriers. It was the Scottish Government who decided against the wishes of many in the farming community to reintroduce beavers and give them protected status.
“I want to know if the Minister accepts that the SNP Government has a moral obligation here to compensate farmers who have suffered damage caused by beavers.”
Speaking after the PQs, Mr Fraser said: “The Minister pointed out that beavers are native to Scotland and claims their reintroduction will play a role to establishing ‘Scotland’s natural environment.’ I was encouraged to hear her say she will talk about mitigation plans when she visits NFU (National Farmer Union) Scotland in Perthshire next week and stated that beaver licences will continue to be available.
“While I welcome this engagement from the Minister, I know both the NFU Scotland and Scottish Land and Estates are both very concerned about this. We need some concrete action here as this is causing major concerns for many in the farming community in Perthshire.”
