Farmers Want Beaver Stew on Menus - Beavers in Brandenburg spark clash between farmers and conservation laws

Beavers in Brandenburg are causing growing tensions with farmers. The animals fell trees, build dams, and destabilise land, leading to costly damage. Their protected status under German and EU law adds to the debate over how to manage their impact. The State Office for the Environment estimates Brandenburg’s beaver population at between 4,000 and 4,200 animals. Their activity has cost the agricultural sector millions, prompting the state to fund preventive measures. Farmers argue that the beaver’s strict protection under the Federal Nature Conservation Act and the EU Habitats Directive makes it difficult to control the damage.

Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer has questioned the beaver’s special status. He called for an EU-level review of its protection. Meanwhile, Brandenburg’s farmers’ association president, Henrik Wendorff, sees potential in beaver meat, describing it as high-quality and attractive for consumption.

Historically, the Church once classified the beaver as a fish, allowing it to be eaten during Lent. Today, the Farmers’ Federation wants better use of culled beavers, including their pelts and carcasses. There are also calls to include the species in future hunting regulations to simplify culling. Brandenburg’s current beaver management rules are set to expire in mid-March 2026, with revisions underway. The debate over beaver management continues as farmers seek solutions to rising costs. Proposed changes to regulations and protection status could shape how the animals are controlled in the future. The state’s revision of beaver rules will determine the next steps for balancing conservation with agricultural needs.