Why Environment Secretary does not support reintroduction of sea eagle, lynx and wolf

                                                                            

The minister - 'farmers have enough to worry about'

EXTRACT from speech made by Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey to the National Farmers Union conference on Wednesday:

Rarely does there need to be a conflict between conservation and the countryside, but I saw it first hand in Suffolk very early as an MP, in fact as a candidate, when there was a proposal to reintroduce the Sea Eagle.

Farmers were really worried about what this would do to their livestock, particularly given the extent of free range farming in that part of the country.

Now, while we have had some successful translocations and reintroduction of species, I do not want farmers constantly to have to worry about these issues.

We have got plenty to do with the habitats that need improving and expanding. 

Yes, we do want more breeding sites for our birds. Yes, we do want to make sure that raptors are not persecuted and that people who take them down are prosecuted.

I also welcome the focus from many police forces on illegal hare coursing. 

But I will not  be supporting reintroduction of species like lynx or wolves.

We just don’t need to. And we won’t do!