Relief among farm leaders as lynx reintroduction rejected

NFU hails ‘victory’ after fears for health and safety of livestock

Farm leaders have welcomed the UK Government’s decision to reject plans to reintroduce lynx into the Kielder Forest in Northumberland.

The Lynx UK Trust had applied to release six Eurasian Lynx into the forest, and the application was put to Defra Secretary of State Michael Gove for his consideration.

Mr Gove has rejected the application, after advice from Natural England, on the basis it “did not meet the necessary standards” set out in international guidelines for reintroductions and because Defra was not confident in the success of the proposal.

NFU Scotland welcomed the decision and said it would be welcomed by farmers in the Borders. The union’s environment and land use policy manager, Andrew Midgley, said: “The decision not to release lynx into Kielder Forest will come as a great relief to our members in the Borders, particularly sheep farmers who had serious concerns over the health and safety of their livestock had these plans been given the green light.

“It is clear from the Secretary of State’s letter that there was insufficient, if any, engagement with farmers, landowners and the wider community and that the concerns of farmers were not meaningfully addressed.

“This project was therefore flawed from the beginning and NFU Scotland is delighted it will not be going ahead.”

The National Sheep Association’s chief executive, Phil Stocker, described the decision as a victory “not just for farmers, but for the ecology of the area, the rural community and the farming economy”.

He added: “We strongly believe this is the right decision, on ecological, social and agricultural grounds. The threat of the lynx against sheep was very real and we could not be happier that this isn’t a risk our members will have to face.”

The NFU south of the border also welcomed the news and said its objection to the application had always been based on concerns for livestock welfare.

The UK Government has rejected the Lynx UK Trust plan.