THE reintroduction of lynx to mid Wales could provide a £10m boost to the local economy, campaigners have claimed.

The Lynx UK Trust has submitted plans for the reintroduction of Eurasian lynx from Sweden to Kielder Forest in Northumberland, and forestry in Argyll and Inverness-shire.

And when the idea was announced two years ago, the trust said it was contacted by a number of landowners in mid Wales who were interested in allowing the use of their land.

But the trust said any potential reintroduction in Wales is likely to be “a couple of years off”.

A Lynx UK Trust spokesperson said: “We are currently focused on the sites we’ve already identified in England and Scotland and though we certainly hope to look at Wales as a candidate as well, it will probably be a couple of years off.”

The trust said there would be “considerable economic benefits” from such a scheme, citing an example in Germany where the local economy was boosted by “around £10m”.

“There would be considerable economic benefits; lynx are a charismatic species and a great example is a reintroduction in a German national park where they bring around £10m a year into the local economy through eco-tourism.”

But not everyone is as excited with the idea.

The National Farmers' Union has warned of the “massive impact” of any reintroduction of the wild cat.

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