Sea Eagles in Suffolk

The decision by English Nature not to re-introduce Sea Eagles into the wetlands of Suffolk has been welcomed by some farmers, one of whom described the idea of re-establishing a colony of these beautiful birds of prey as madness. This would be no such thing. The original decision to destroy these and other predators was the real madness. Why should indigenous birds of prey have been eliminated to make way for introduced species such as pheasants which were then shot for sporting pleasure?

There is no evidence that re-introduction schemes have really damaged the economic interests of farming. I am all in favour of supporting our farmers but not at the expense of our wildlife. We as a nation can easily afford the small financial losses when a small number of predators take some chickens or weak lambs. Any economic loss is more than easily counterbalanced by the improved environment which must result from the re-introduction of previously eliminated species.