Freedom of Information Request - Beaver Applications
Date: 16 September 2025
Our ref: SIR181452/A5426478
Information Request – Beaver Applications
Your Request
‘Please can I request the following information:
Across the last ten years how many applications has NatureScot received on the topic of releasing Beavers into parts of Scotland?
How many of those applications noted in (1) have been approved?
How many of those applications noted in (1) have been rejected?’
Our Response
NatureScot has received seven applications for beaver translocation in the last 10 years. To date no applications have been refused. We have published details of these decisions since 2019, when beavers became European Protected Species. See our Translocation of beavers in Scotland page for decision documents.
How We Handled Your Request
We believe you have asked for environmental information as defined in the Environmental Information (Scotland Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’), so we are dealing with your request under those regulations. To be able to use the EIRs, we must apply an exemption under section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (‘FOISA’). The Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance recommends that public authorities apply this exemption to environmental information and handle request under the EIRs.
If you would like to find out more about the access to information legislation, there is a guidance booklet available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot
