Sheep farmers are afraid of the lynx effect
LYNX. It’s an issue which can stir up a lot of arguments, but the reintroduction of animals which have been extinct on these shores for many years is something that should be carefully considered before the cat is, quite literally, let out of the bag.
With proposals to reintroduce the lynx into the Kielder Forest, which straddles the border between England and Scotland, now lodged with the authorities, a lot of the population has come over all gooey about this furry feline.
However, for many sheep farmers nearby – and in other parts of the country which might see animals released at a later date – the picture is less clear.
Now, farmers are as keen as the next man to watch big cats doing what they do best on the TV screen. But it’s a different story when an animal capable of killing sheep and lambs is being let loose in your back yard.
And while those wanting to bring the lynx back argue there’s only a tiny chance that they will ever kill a sheep, that’s not going to be enough to stop farmers worrying about their livestock if a new predator is released in their area.
It can’t be denied that those wanting to see the animals released have carried out surveys which have shown a lot of support from around the country for such a project.
But, let’s face it, it’s easy to click the button to sign up to an online petition for something that’s going to happen many miles away, in a different part of the country.
As someone who represents sheep farmers in the area said to me, if lynx are to be released in Kielder, the opinions of people living and making their income from that area should carry far greater weight than those of someone living 300 miles away.
And while “stakeholder” groups had been consulted, he said that, as the ones who were going to be directly affected by the issue, it’s the local people who will be the only ones actually having their livelihoods and peace of mind put at stake.
He added that any piecemeal sanctioning of small projects which were part of a much wider debate that has not yet been properly conducted would be irresponsible and inexcusable.
For, as well as lynx, there are also people who want to bring back wolves and bears – and if the release of lynx is sanctioned, where the line will be drawn?
So wouldn’t it make sense to have this big debate before we release the missing lynx?