To ask the Scottish Government how many beaver licences were issued by NatureScot in the last five years, broken down by the (a) year issued, (b) category of the licence and (c) duration of the licence. The following tables set out how many Beaver licences were issued in the last five years; broken down by the (a) year issued, (b) category of the licence and (c) duration of the licence: Category of Licence 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Preventing Serious Damage (PSD) Prime Agricultural Land (PAL) 62 16 96 27 39 Preventing Serious Damage (PSD) (Other land) 4 Conservation 2 0 Preserving Public Health or Safety (PPHS) 1 1 0 1 PPHS/IROPI 5 Science, Research, Education 1 2 5 1 2 Conserving wild birds, plants, animals or introducing them to a particular area 1 2 3 4 Preserving public health or public safety or other imperative reasons of overriding public interest including those of a social or economic nature and beneficial consequences of primary importance for the environment 3 3 Preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, property or fisheries 3 3 Total 67 24 107 38 51 Duration of Licence (days) 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 1-200 days 4 6 3 3 7 200-700 days 12 5 46 15 36 700 days 51 13 58 20 8 Total 67 24 107 38 51 Note: not all licences issued are for lethal control.