My View: Restoring the Lynx

Thank you to everyone who got in touch with me about the parliamentary event on the reintroduction of the Eurasian Lynx to the UK. I support conservation translocations and reintroductions of native species where the benefits to the environment and people are clear.

Our Government has published the Code for Reintroductions and other Conservation Translocations in England to encourage best practice. This code sets clear expectations for projects, including demonstrating a conservation need, assessing feasibility and risks, securing permissions and meeting legal requirements. It requires appropriate release, monitoring and advice from Natural England where needed.

I understand our Government have given some consideration to the question of introducing the lynx. Currently, the lynx is classed as a dangerous wild animal under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, and all such animals must be kept in a fenced enclosure. However, the lynx needs a range, habitat, and the ability to roam around and breed. Any plans to reintroduce the lynx would need a management plan to balance the challenges, especially against current legislation. I know our Government considers it essential to work with stakeholders on this before any final decisions can be made. 

On a wider scale, however, I fully support the commitment to halting the decline in species abundance by 2030 and reversing it by at least 10% by 2042. I know species abundance has dropped to an estimated 67% of its 1970 level and that we have lost vast areas of habitats. I therefore support creating, restoring and managing wildlife-rich habitat at scale, including the commitment to protecting 30% of the UK’s land by 2030.

I also welcome our Government’s funding for threatened species, spending £60 million on the Species Recovery Programme over the next three years and £30 million in species recovery on the national forest estate. You may also know that our Government has approved £1 million in funding for exploring a reintroduction programme for the golden eagle. We also continue to support the wild release and management of beavers in England, and I was really pleased to see the first release in Cornwall last year.

Thank you once again to everyone who contacted me about this issue. I will follow developments on this.