Hayley MaceFarmers and landowners last night welcomed the news that controversial proposals to release sea eagles on the Suffolk coast have been scrapped.Hayley Mace

Farmers and landowners last night welcomed the news that controversial proposals to release sea eagles on the Suffolk coast have been scrapped.

Natural England and the RSPB have spent several months looking into the possibility of reintroducing white-tailed eagles to the region, but now the project has been abandoned because of government cuts.

The original proposals were met with anger from many farmers, who were concerned that introducing dozens of the large birds to the area would damage their livelihoods.

Natural England announced yesterday that it had withdrawn as lead partner for the project.

Chief scientist Tom Tew said: 'We have taken the decision to withdraw from the project at this stage because we believe it would be inappropriate to commit public funds to an extensive public consultation over a project that we would, in the foreseeable future, be unable to fund.

'Our work to date shows both support and opposition to the project, and we have listened to both sides of the debate. While it will be a disappointment to many that we must withdraw at this stage, we did not think it was in the interests of the public, nor the many people involved, to delay this decision, which is inevitable given the future financial situation.'

Nicola Currie, eastern region director for the Country Land and Business Association, welcomed the news that no more public money would be spent on the scheme.

'The correct decision has been made both for the region's economy and for its wildlife. The plan to introduce 75 sea eagles over five years would have had a substantial impact on the high welfare livestock enterprises throughout the region.

'Free range pig producers would have been particularly seriously affected, as a quarter of the national outdoor pig herd is in Suffolk,' she said.

NFU senior environment adviser Paul Hammett said: 'We have always argued that this project represents poor value for money, has dubious environmental benefits and that the money would be better spent elsewhere.

'We're pleased that Natural England has listened and will not be wasting any more taxpayers' money on this scheme. It's just a shame it has taken so long to reach this decision.'

The RSPB had been working with Natural England on the scheme and will now consider whether it can push ahead on the project alone.

Mark Avery, the RSPB's director of conservation, said: 'The RSPB recognises that in a time of financial restrictions some projects need to be delayed but we are very concerned that wildlife conservation will be hit very hard by the financial stringencies ahead.

'A small number of vocal opponents have campaigned against this project. We will be writing to the CLA to ask whether they could identify suitable areas for a white-tailed eagle reintroduction project where we could work together to achieve a real conservation gain.'