Sheep farmers in Cumbria would suffer "unjustifiable" losses if the Lynx was re-introduced.
The National Sheep Association says the current ecosystem would be disrupted.
The predatory big cat has been extinct in Britain for 1,300 years - but Natural England say the UK could support a population of 400 Lynx.
Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, said: “Around 75% of biodiversity in the UK has a relationship with agriculture and, as a country, we have invested heavily in agri-environment schemes to enhance this. Grassland environments, which are considered to be an attractive and desirable part of our countryside, are largely managed by sheep farming. But conditions are tough in the sheep sector, returns are low and for some farmers the release of the lynx would be the final straw. We would lose much, much more than just sheep if these businesses cease to operate.”
Mr Stocker added: “The UK is a small island with a high population and a lot of public interaction with the countryside. We have widespread road and rail networks and large urban conurbations. We do not feel this would allow lynx to roam freely and maintain good genetic diversity. The Eurasian lynx is not deemed as an at-risk species so introduction to the UK is not only unnecessary but also dangerous.”