Freedom of Information Request - Beaver Re-Introduction Glen Affric
Date: 18 June 2025
Our ref: SIR180317/A5211157
Information Request – Beaver Re-Introduction Glen Affric
Your Request
'I am putting in a freedom of information request to NatureScot regarding your decision to delay the granting of a licence application for the official release of beavers into Glen Affric. Specifically how you can justify being lobbied by NFUS and the Deputy First Minister. This should take the form of the internal emails within NatureScot, between senior managers, detailing your discussion of the matter and internal reasons for reaching this decision.'
Our Response
We have discussed your request with our Wildlife Management Team. The information that meets the terms of your request is attached separately to this response.
We have redacted out the names of third parties, and NatureScot staff, who are F-grade and below. This information has been redacted as it is considered personal data, and to release this personal data in response to an information request would breach the Data Protection Act 2018. We have therefore exempted this information under 11(2)(Personal Data) of the EIRs. The names of our senior leadership team is already in the public domain.
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
Document downloads
Due to accessibility issues the attached information, referenced above, is available on request by contacting the FOI team at [email protected]. Please reference the case number (starting with SIR).
