Spending cuts doom eagles project

Natural England, along with conservation charity the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, had been leading the project examining the possibility of releasing the birds of prey in Suffolk.

The eagles have already been reintroduced into Scotland. The Suffolk coast was identified as offering the best opportunity for bringing back the bird to England, where it was persecuted to extinction in the early 19th century but the scheme has faced opposition from local farmers and landowners concerned that the birds, also known as sea eagles, would harm livestock.

A programme of studies was carried out to assess the feasibility of reintroducing the birds of prey and a report from the Food and Environment Research Agency, with recommendations on how to address conflicts between eagles and landowners, had recently been received as part of preparations for a public consultation on the plans.

But Natural England said yesterday that it was pulling out of the project rather than commit taxpayers' money to an extensive public consultation on a scheme it would then not be able to fund.

Dr Tom Tew, chief scientist for Natural England, said the organisation was "keenly aware" of the reduced funding that would be available over the next few years.

"All the evidence suggests that a reintroduction would have met all the international criteria and would have been successful.

"However, reintroduction of a large raptor is an expensive and difficult operation.

"We have taken the decision to withdraw from the project at this stage because we believe it would be inappropriate to commit public funds to an extensive public consultation over a project that we would, in the foreseeable future, be unable to fund."

n A fleet of boats, aircraft and officers will be used to enforce wildlife conservation areas planned for England's seas, the new body tasked with managing the marine environment said today.

Steven Gant, chief executive of the Marine Management Organisation which is officially launched today, said the body had responsibility for enforcing rules in the new Marine Conservation Zones – including potential fishing bans.