Farmers asked thoughts on sea eagles as fears release could spread to UK

NSA formally opposed the release on the grounds that the reported decline in biodiversity and species abundance would result in the birds being driven to predate on lambs and other non-typical food sources.

Now the licence has been granted and the birds released, NSA is working with the project team and Natural England to help mitigate problems and ‘try to identify harmonious regulatory and practical approaches’.

Consultation

Mr Stocker said: “The conditions of the licence stipulate monitoring and evaluation and the project team are keen to broaden this beyond what they are required to do and are very keep to work with the farming community and understand attitudes and experiences.

“NSA is keen to engage with sheep farmers across the country to gather views on the white-tailed sea eagle on the basis that the birds should not end up as a resident species across the UK without proper consultation.

“Although the licence has already been granted and the release has gone ahead, the very localised consultation and engagement process being done on the island and surrounding areas is not sufficient when the spread of these birds will go much further.”

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