Confor welcomes updated action plan for grey squirrels in England There are estimated to be only 15,000 red squirrels left in England, occurring in isolated pockets, and out-competed by over two million grey squirrels. Grey squirrels also cause damage to our broadleaved and coniferous woodlands, and the costs of damage are estimated at between £6 and £10million per annum in Great Britain. Efforts to control grey squirrels in England’s woodlands need to be more effective, making greater use of best practice; better coordinated and sustained in order to protect and enhance our vulnerable red squirrel population and to reduce impacts on woodlands so that they can thrive for economic interests and biodiversity. As part of a review of grey squirrel control, Forestry Commission consulted Confor and other organisations. This review showed that more could be done to improve effectiveness of grey squirrel control. It also found that the approach to red squirrel conservation is working but needs to be sustained. The findings of the review have been used to update the action plan for grey squirrel control in England. Confor welcomes the specific grey squirrel management prescription within the multi-annual agreement for woodland management in Countryside Stewardship, in addition to the funding available for grey squirrel control to support red squirrel populations. A caveat is, however, that control in a good proportion of broadleaf woodlands will be significantly hampered if Warfarin is not relicensed.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 09:17:47 +0000