There will be no lynx release in the Kielder Forest in Northumberland. Michael Gove, Defra’s Secretary of State, has turned down the Lynx UK Trust’s application to release six Eurasian lynx into the forest on the Scottish Border.

Natural England provided advice to Defra on the proposal. The refusal came on the grounds that the application did not meet the necessary standards set out in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines. Furthermore, the application didn’t give the necessary information required to convince authorities that introducing the lynx would be a success.

Significant public interest

Despite the refusal, the UK government states it “remains committed to providing opportunities for the reintroduction of species where there are clear environmental and socio-economic benefits”.

The National Sheep Association welcomed the refusal. Chief executive Phil Stocker says: “NSA is delighted to hear the application has been rejected. We first raised concerns with Natural England in March 2015, so nearly four years ago, when the release was first suggested and we have been leading the charge ever since. Today’s announcement shows the effectiveness of our working with local farmers and community groups that share our concerns. The community in Kielder has really come together and with the support of NSA has hosted meetings and discussions to raise their concerns. The threat of the lynx against sheep was very real and we could not be happier that this isn’t a risk our members will have to face.”

NFU Scotland environment and land use policy manager Andrew Midgley also commented on the matter: “The decision not to release lynx into Kielder Forest will come as a great relief to our members in the Borders, particularly sheep farmers who had serious concerns over the health and safety of their livestock had these plans been given the green light.

“It is clear from the Secretary of State’s letter that there was insufficient, if any, engagement with farmers, landowners and the wider community and that the concerns of farmers were not meaningfully addressed. This project was therefore flawed from the beginning and NFU Scotland is delighted it will not be going ahead.”