Tim Farron calls for rethink over plans to reintroduce sea eagles to Cumbria

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has written to the Lake District National Park Authority, raising concerns about the impact the potential reintroduction of sea eagles will have on sheep farms in Cumbria.

The Cumbrian White-Tailed Eagle Project - has been exploring the possibility of bringing white-tailed eagles back to the Cumbrian landscape.

However, many farmers have enormous concerns about the threat this may cause to their livestock, with the National Sheep Association calling for a pause on the introduction of more sea eagles to Britain.

Tim said: “There are well meaning motives behind this but the evidence strongly shows that this would not enhance biodiversity and would become a huge threat to animal welfare and see the loss of lambs

“The evidence shows that sea eagles may not target lots of farms, but that for those farms they do target they will return over and over again and decimate flocks. 

“Some may say that the sea eagles won’t be introduced near to farms, but these animals fly long distances and will of course move towards sources of food. 

“This is a dangerous, poorly thought out move which is an unnecessary threat to animal welfare and we should stop it.”