This Commissioned Report “Considerations for the use of Electric Fencing in Beaver Mitigation” is to inform best practice guidance, in relation to the use of electric fencing as a beaver mitigation technique. Some processes will be associated with licenceable activity (eg, release/translocation) and some not.
This report also provides a source of referenced evidence for current best practice and recommendations for assessing efficacy and welfare implications to inform future best practice. The report considers existing methodology and compares the effect of electric fencing on a variety of species where information is available.
The report recommends that electric fencing should not be used as a way of retaining beavers and that use as a deterrent should only be used in limited circumstances, namely, to protect vulnerable crops for up to 3 months or to protect property in an emergency for up to 4 weeks while a permanent solution is found. If an electric fence is used it must meet British and European safety standards and be removed if there is a risk of flooding.