What do you think?
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of elvers to the Far East by criminal gangs via Eastern Europe, said to be worth some £75 million a year.
Now we have left the EU you’d think we would no longer be bound by this export ban and that for the British Government common sense would emerge and that this predominantly West Country-based ‘industry’ could be run in a way that benefits the elvers, the eels, the environment, the fishermen and the economy.
Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland has always depended on the West Country elver industry to stock the lake for future adult eels, which they in turn re-export to Britain.
Not anymore. Their eel stocks will never be replenished and in turn that industry will also die out. I understand a very generous proposal was made to Defra from the Severn Elver Fishery to donate 60% of their catch free of charge for restocking the rivers and lakes in the UK if an export licence was issued for the remaining 40%.
This would have resulted in a great benefit to the eels and the natural environment through sustainable conservation,a fair deal for the fishery, millions of pounds in exports and a boost for the local economy! How could anyone in their right mind turn this offer down?
Yes, you guessed it, Defra! Just what sort of idiots are running this (dis)organisation? Without this idea coming to fruition, then this well-established West Country industry, which has been here for generations, is doomed to be lost forever, followed by the eels that so many conservationists would be more than just devastated to lose in the not-too-distant future.
As every good environmentalist or conservationist should know, eels do not breed in European waters. Like the pandas in China and certain other species, they need a helping hand to ensure their survival. Time for a justified government U-turn on this one before it’s too late... and they don’t even have to get the EU’s permission.
Edward Kynaston
Lydney population to apologise for events that happened hundreds of years ago, over which the majority had no control, even though we were one of the first countries to put a stop to the events referred too.
If the people running the National Trust feel so strongly about it, why don’t they sell off all those properties and donate the money to the NHS?
I don’t think they would have much of a property portfolio to manage then, meaning they could sack some of their highly-paid managers to save costs!
Mike Butterfield
Devon