Natural England and the RSPB are planning to build on their successful re-introduction of the white-tailed eagle into Scotland by proposing a similar programme for Suffolk.

They are currently consulting with landowners and farmers over the scheme, as there is expected to be some opposition to the plans.

Critics of the proposal argue that there is no firm proof they were in East Anglia in the first place and question the merit of introducing them now into an intensively farmed part of the UK, with fears that farmer’s livelihoods could be put under threat if the birds become established.

The conservationists have indicated a willingness to compensate any landowners adversely affected by the proposed re-introduction of the bird of prey to England following a gap of more than 200 years.

Jimmy Butler, a free range pig farmer, is more sceptical: “I think they are living in a fool’s paradise, I really do,” he says. “If my pig litter mortality rate goes up two or three per cent how do I prove it’s the eagles that did it?”

This is a sentiment shared by many other landowners who fear that their livestock will be spooked or preyed upon by the birds.

Nicola Currie, Country Land and Business Association (CLA) eastern region director, believes that the large sums it will cost to introduce the birds could be far better spent.

She points to a 500,000 Euro project about to start elsewhere in Suffolk to improve the habitat by creating coastal lagoons and marshes for the many rare birds who arrive there

“It’s great we are spending that sort of money on our waders and all the rest of it, but then we are spending a little bit more on something that’s going to eat them,” she says.

Natural England and the RSPB believes that there would be negligible harm to livestock, if at all, and that the county could benefit greatly overall from the introduction of such an iconic bird.

As well as possible mitigation or financial compensation for farmers, the conservationists believe they have another potent argument in favour of the scheme, beyond conserving a threatened species. Tapping the Suffolk coast’s tourism potential, particularly in the “shoulder” or less popular months, is seen as important to an economy which increasingly relies on tourists and visitors to sustain it.

“It becomes a very popular tourist attraction when people see these birds,” says Mr Macklin.

“They are pretty big and they are quite spectacular as well.”

Mr McNiven points to the reaction of tourism chiefs when the Suffolk Coast and Health Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty partnership met in December 2009 to discuss the proposal.

“Representatives from the tourism sector at that meeting said that whilst some hotels in East Suffolk are full at peak times, there were 22 million people within two hours’ drive and the aim was to get them to stay longer,” he says.

“They described the project as ‘iconic’ and ‘wonderful’…a marketing man’s dream’. These views reflect the sentiments of business owners who attended one of the project’s drop-in days in June 2007 and expressed enthusiasm for more year-round business.”

Mr Macklin points out that on Mull, the arrival of the sea eagle is estimated to bolster the economy to the tune of about £2million.

The consultations, ongoing since 2007 with focus groups, drop-ins and face-to-face meetings on the Suffolk coast for stakeholders and members of the public, continue until the summer.

Natural England says it is sure that there would be many benefits to landowners with tourism-related businesses such as bed and breakfasts and farm shops if the project goes ahead.

“I think most of the population sees the benefits it brings to the local community,” says Mr Macklin.

“I hope we can bring people round. I’ll be honest, I think there are people we’ll never bring round.”

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