SW farmers angry at beaver plan

West Country farmers are furious at plans to reintroduce beavers to the region, 700 years after they were hunted to extinction.

South West Water wants to reintroduce the animals to Roadford Lake reservoir in Devon, in a bid to help purify its drinking water.

But farmers are worried about the ecological impact of releasing beavers into the area, including the destruction of trees, potential diseases, and the likelihood of increased visitor numbers on their land.

The argument coincides with the release of a Natural England report supporting the wider introduction of beavers across the country, and a trial which will see beavers released in Scotland later this year.