Freedom of Information Request - Cost of Beaver mitigation measures
Date: 03 February 2025
Our ref: SIR178620/A4977034
Information Request – Cost of Beaver mitigation measures
Your Request
Can you please advise how much money has been spent by NatureScot on Beaver Mitigation measures in the last ten years.
Our Response
We do not hold information dating back 10 years as the beaver mitigation scheme was only launched in May 2019. Information from 2019 is provided in the following table.
| Financial Year | 2019/20 | 2020/21* | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 (forecast)** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating Costs (£) | 72,000 | 36,800 | 91,500 | 160,000 | 100,000 | 70,000 |
*Covid related restrictions limited our ability to visit and carry out works
** We can only forecast this at present as our financial year ends at the end of March 2025 and the final figure will only be known sometime after that date.
Since 2019 we have produced annual reports on our activities concerning beavers and these are available from the NatureScot website:
Beaver Management Report 2019
Beaver Management Report 2020
Beaver Management Report 2021
Beaver Management Report 2022
Beaver Management Report 2023/24
The 2024/25 report is expected to be completed by the end of the summer 2025.
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
