The backlash comes as widespread reintroductions of the mammals can damage trees and impede drainage from farmland.

       A consultation is underway to seek people's views on whether beavers should be reintroduced to England's rivers, as the creatures' dams create wetland habitats where wildlife can flourish.

       The consultation launched by The Environment Department (Defra) has been marked as “a significant milestone” by Environment Secretary George Eusticeis.

       The reintroduction of the mammal could help to restore river habitats, as the animals transport logs, branches, stones and mud to build the barriers across rivers, and their dams help create pools of deep water that deter predators.

       British farmers and growers are concerned about the impact they will have on the natural environment, and the 12 week consultation has come under scrutiny by some.

       Mr Eusticeis said there were “implications for landowners” meaning that the process will need to be handled with a “cautious approach to ensure that all potential impacts are carefully considered”.

       One Twitter user referred to the reintroduction as “humans playing at being gods again!” and said “the best mitigation against any negative impacts, is to not reintroduce them!”

       National Farmers’ Union environment forum chairman Richard Bramley addressed the claims by voicing that while there are some negative impacts of the reintroduction including “potentially undermining riverbanks, damaging trees, impeding farmland drainage and causing low-lying fields to flood” the release would be a positive step.

       Mr Bramley commented that the steps taken are being handled well: “It is positive that any reintroduction will be strictly licensed by Natural England”.

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       Another Twitter user disagreed, saying: “They will block rivers up. We need to be dredging the rivers not blocking them” and referred to the conservationists considering the plan as “idiots”.

       The user also voiced concerns that the river dredging would “only work in some locations”, while in others it would make the process worse due to the “removing [of] natural processes”.

       Mr Bramley reiterated the need to consult farmers and growers in the plan by saying “any impact on a farmer’s ability to produce food needs to be included as part of a full impact assessment carried out before any licence is issued”.

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       The scheme towards reintroduction follows similar programmes in Scotland, which led to established wild beaver populations.

       Mr Bramley also referred to the importance of “any approved licensing” including “a long-term management plan, developed with local farmers and backed with adequate funding”.

       He also stated the organisation is “committed to working with Natural England and interested parties to deliver the best outcomes.”

       “Where there is a financial impact on a farm business, adequate compensation must be made and an exit strategy must be in place should major issues occur.”

       The scheme towards reintroduction follows similar programmes in Scotland, which led to established wild beaver populations.

       The Government has also announced plans to give beavers legal protection in England, as a native species and the plans would come into force in 2022.

       The plans, which are part of the efforts to support the mammals’ recovery mean it’s an offence to deliberately capture, kill, disturb or injure them, or damage their breeding sites or resting places.