The Welsh Conservatives’ Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (09 October) spoken of her disappointment that the Welsh Government will not introduce a moratorium on any release licence applications for golden eagles, until such a time that public meetings can be undertaken and detailed information about such schemes are made available to the public.  

In reply to a Written Question submitted by Mrs Finch-Saunders, the Welsh Minister for Environment wrote:  

“While I appreciate that current Covid restrictions may limit face to face engagement, it will still be possible to hold public meetings virtually. Therefore, I do not believe a moratorium is required currently as the requirements for public consultation can still be met. 

Wilder Britain’s aim is to return the Golden Eagle to the skies above Snowdonia National Park for the first time in centuries, and that this would commence with the reintroduction of 10 young birds in 2021. Communities throughout North Wales have complained that no Ecological Feasibility Study has been made public, with residents being asked to list their thoughts on the reintroduction of golden eagles without having full access to the facts.  

Commenting on the Welsh Government’s reply, Janet said: 

“As the Welsh Minister has said herself, as part of the procedure for issuing such licences for the release of these birds of prey, a full public consultation would be required where all the information regarding the proposal is made available. It is most concerning that this is just plainly not taking place.  

“I am also dismayed to hear that Wilder Britain’s public consultation event at Zip World Fforset in Betws-y-Coed was held in English only. Given the bilingual nature of this community, with many residents in the National Park area holding Welsh as a first language, I have great concerns about this decision. 

“Residents and farmers are being asked to provide their thoughts on this issue without full access to facts at hand. Therefore, I am disappointed that the Welsh Government have not thought it proper to give due consideration to my proposal for a moratorium on any proposed license. 

“This consultation needs to be urgently extended, so that the true impact of the release of golden eagles on the local wildlife and livestock populations can be ascertained.”  

ENDS 

Notes for Editors: 

• Janet’s Written Question: Will the Minister introduce a moratorium on any release licence applications for golden eagles until such a time that public meetings can be undertaken and detailed information about such schemes are made available to the public? 
• Reply from Lesley Griffiths MS: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has strict rules governing the reintroduction of any species into the wild. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is the body responsible for implementing these rules and issuing a licence for such releases. IUCN Translocation Guidelines require that proposals demonstrate the social feasibility of any reintroduction. As part of the procedure for issuing such licences a full public consultation would be required where all the information regarding the proposal is made available. This would enable all views on the proposal to be considered. Applicants are advised to undertake the consultation prior to submitting their application, and NRW would consider whether this had been carried out sufficiently as part of the licence determination process. If NRW deems that applicants had not consulted widely enough then NRW can insist that a further public consultation is carried out before determination. While I appreciate that current covid restrictions may limit face to face engagement, it will still be possible to hold public meetings virtually. Therefore, I do not believe a moratorium is required currently as the requirements for public consultation can still be met. 

Photo: v2osk/UnSplash