Conservationists backing a return of the lynx to the UK are celebrating after a broadly successful stakeholder meeting to discuss the plans at the University of Cumbria last week, though the UK’s sheep farming association has rejected an offer to join the reintroduction project’s advisory group.

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Natural England would consider any release proposal

Any release of lynx in the UK would be subject to the approval of Natural England. The Trust met with natural England representatives last year, and NE said a reintroduction would require intense evidence gathering, consultation and government input.

Responding to questions about the progress and possible timeframe of lynx reintroduction plans on Tuesday, a Natural England spokesperson told Farming Online, ”In line with guidelines and best practice set out by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Lynx Trust has carried out a public consultation on their proposal to trial re-introduction of lynx in the UK.”

The spokesperson added, “Natural England provides advice on conservation matters for England on behalf of Government, and as such is the authority responsible for licensing such a project. We will consider any licence application that is made following this consultation."

On Thursday, Professor Ian Convery, Consultation Advisor for the Trust and Reader in Conservation & Forestry at the University of Cumbria said, “It's been a really positive process so far. the initial public and media response was phenomenal, and we're really happy such a large percentage of the stakeholders have been so keen to engage in the plans and commit to continuing to provide us with feedback moving forward. This felt like an historic meeting, the first time a large number of stakeholders have come together to discuss an actual trial reintroduction of lynx to the UK. ”

Prof Convery said consultations will continue with national stakeholders heading into summer, and the Trust said local-level consultations on the first potential release site should begin in July.

Lynx UK Trust’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Dr Paul O’Donoghue added, “The stakeholder event was extremely constructive and everyone spoke in an open and genuine manner. On the back of this event, we hope to announce the first potential release site in the next month and that's when it's going to get really exciting. We will get to talk with the people who would actually be living alongside these amazing animals; lynx reintroduction has a vast potential to bring eco-tourism money into local communities, it's been an incredible success in Germany and we really think the lynx will more than pay its way both through tourism but also critical ecological services like helping to control deer, allowing forest regeneration.”

Sheep farmers object to plans

However, Sheep farming interests remain unconvinced by the Trust’s plans. On Wednesday, the National Sheep Association (NSA) announced that it had turned down Lynx UK Trust’s “inappropriate” offer of a place on its Project Advisory Group.

Phil Stocker, NSA’s Chief Executive, said in a statement, “Our understanding is the Project Advisory Group will design the trial that will only go ahead if Lynx UK is successful in gaining a licence from Natural England and/or Scottish Natural Heritage. We feel it is inappropriate for NSA to provide guidance to Lynx UK ahead of that licence application, as we remain opposed to any pilot taking place. In addition, we are not prepared for someone from NSA to be part of the group when the terms of reference state members would not be there to represent the views of any particular organisation.”

Mr Stocker said NSA felt that the meeting in Cumbria did not adequately address the concerns of sheep farmers, which he said extend beyond predation of sheep to animal welfare and disease control issues. He added that the Association is pleased that Lynx UK Trust has discounted two sites from the five originally identified for trial releases,

The NSA Chief Executive added “In the event of an application for a licence being submitted, NSA would expect all stakeholders to be involved in discussions with the relevant licensing authority [Natural England]” regardless of whether or not they were part of the Advisory Group.

Lynx UK Trust said it intends to continue a dialogue with NSA in an attempt to address their concerns, and, immediately after the meeting last week, said the Trust believes that working directly with farming groups to “establish agreeable protocols for the trial” is the best way to address those concerns. In its response on Wednesday, NSA said it is open to further discussion with the Trust. Trust Scientific Advisor Paul O’Donoghue commented, “We are very pleased that the National Sheep Association are  happy to maintain a dialogue going forward.”

The Lynx UK Trust claims that independent cost benefit analysis suggests lynx reintroduction would raise £47 for every £1 spent on the scheme. The trust is campaigning to raise £50,000 to cover the cost of the next level of its planned reintroduction.