Ed FossSea eagles will not be released into East Anglian skies this year, it has been confirmed.Whether the decision constitutes a delay to the controversial project remained a hot topic of debate between the for and against lobbies, with promoters Natural England insisting it did not, but others insisting it was just that.Ed Foss

Sea eagles will not be released into East Anglian skies this year, it has been confirmed.

Whether the decision constitutes a delay to the controversial project remained a hot topic of

debate between the for and against lobbies, with promoters

Natural England insisting it did

not, but others insisting it was just that.

But the news that 2010 would definitely not see any sea eagles released in the region was welcomed by campaigners who feel the area is not appropriate for dozens of the birds of prey in a region with important conservation sites and intensive livestock production such as chickens and pigs, all of which they claim could suffer from predation.

They were also concerned the consultation with interested parties was not being done properly.

The news follows a report in the EDP telling how livestock farmers in Suffolk who fear the introduction of the sea eagle, also known as the white-tailed eagle, have made their views clear with signs bearing the slogan 'Say No To Sea Eagles' along the arearoads.

Both Suffolk and north Norfolk have been on the Natural England radar for the project, although the former is currently at the top of the list.

Nicola Currie, eastern region director of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said

she was pleased that Natural England's earlier 'undue haste' had been abandoned.

At one stage, said Mrs Currie, she had been told by Natural England that the intention was to bring birds in from Poland as early as this August.

'This delay is exactly what we have been asking for,' said Mrs Currie.

'We congratulate NE on being willing to delay the programme

until 2011.

'This will give us all the opportunity to step back a pace, and for land managers, conservationists and property owners to make their concerns understood.'

'We are also hoping it will allow time for further research.'

And National Farmers' Union countryside adviser for East Anglia Alex Dinsdale said: 'We welcome the news that there will now be full and proper consultation before any decision is taken.

'The project seemed to be rushing forward without proper consultation. We're pleased the brakes have now been applied.'

A Natural England statement

said: 'It is incorrect to argue, as some have attempted to do, that the project has been postponed or put on hold.

'There is no set timetable for the work.'

And Natural England's chief scientist Tom Tew added: 'We look forward to further engagement with interested groups to help assess whether a reintroduction should take place.

'A project of this type would only go ahead if it were right for the area as well as for the ecological needs of the birds themselves.'