Question reference: S5O-00456
- Asked by: Gail Ross, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 30 November 2016
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Current status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 8 December 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for its strategic environmental and habitats regulations assessments of the beaver population.
Answer
We are required to carry out a Habitats Regulations Assessment of our proposed plan to allow beavers to remain in Scotland. Work is already underway on this Assessment and I expect it to be completed early in 2017. We are also required to consider whether a Strategic Environmental Assessment is required. The approach to the SEA and its timing depends on what issues are highlighted by the HRA. I am hopeful that the processes required before we can bring forward secondary legislation to add beavers to Schedule 2 of the 1994 Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations will be completed by spring 2017.