The Chief executive of the National Sheep Association Phil Stocker has responded to the Lynx Trust Insurance announcement made yesterday.The trust stated that they would insure all sheep, humans and pets against attacks should lynx be released into the wild. His response was as follows:

"This press release is typical of Lynx UK Trusts tactics and is not only completely misunderstanding the concerns of the sheep farming world, but also seemingly trying to coerce Natural England’s evaluation process.

“It is very well setting up an insurance based compensation scheme for the duration of the project, but in doing so Lynx UK Trust is clearly accepting the predation risk lynx pose to sheep and other species. The compensation agreement reached also extends to pets and humans’, loses of which would be difficult to put monetary value on for anyone put in that position.

“Sheep farmers who do experience an attack on their flock may never see any carcase remains, and are unlikely to want to go through an insurance claims process where the first thing insurers will ask for is evidence. It is also important to point out this compensation agreement is only for the duration of a trial, there is no mention of whose responsibility it becomes thereafter.

“Even more important is the stress and worry local people will be forced to live with knowing predating lynx are in the area. 

“We have made huge gains in improving farm animal welfare here in the UK and no one can convince me that allowing them to be killed by a sharp clawed and strong jawed animal will be welcomed by farmers if a bit of compensation money is made available”.