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Grey Squirrels
28 November 2023
Lead MP
Virginia Crosbie
Responding Minister
Rebecca Pow
Tags
ClimateBenefits & WelfareAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Word Count: 4432
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Virginia Crosbie raised concerns about grey squirrels in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should support programmes to reintroduce pine martens, continue working on contraceptive schemes, invest in gene drive research, provide funding for a squirrel pox vaccine, and enhance red squirrel habitats through landscape recovery schemes. The updated grey squirrel action plan needs to be published urgently to meet the 2030 target of halting species decline.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The grey squirrel population poses a threat to the native red squirrel and British biodiversity. Grey squirrels cause millions of pounds-worth of damage to woodlands annually, costing £37 million in tree bark stripping alone and £1.8 billion overall. The decline in UK red squirrel populations has been attributed to diseases like squirrel pox and adenovirus, competition with grey squirrels for resources, habitat deterioration, and ineffective measures to control grey squirrels.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
The hon. Member elucidates various options for controlling grey squirrels, suggesting either allowing them to proceed unchecked or significantly controlling their population to preserve the native red squirrel species.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The Ards Red Squirrel Group works tirelessly to protect red squirrels in Strangford, monitoring them and eradicating grey squirches. The hon. Member agrees that greater integration between DEFRA and local red squirrel groups is needed to ensure preservation of the red squirrel species.
Trudy Harrison
Lab
Copeland
Acknowledges the importance of addressing the issue of grey squirrels and their impact on red squirrel populations. Emphasises the need for co-operation with DEFRA to protect red squirrels. Ms Harrison discussed the decline of red squirrels due to grey squirrel impact and habitat loss. She praised the Environment Act 2021 for efforts to halt nature's decline, but stressed that without tackling grey squirrels, the UK will not meet its tree canopy cover target by 2050. Ms Harrison highlighted the significant damage caused by grey squirrels in terms of trees lost and disease spread, advocating for strict control measures and a zero-tolerance approach towards them.
Government Response
Rebecca Pow
Government Response
The Minister thanked Virginia Crosbie and Trudy Harrison for their work on red squirrels and highlighted the impact of grey squirrels, estimating there are 2.7 million grey squirrels in Great Britain compared to fewer than 39,000 red squirrels in England. She noted that grey squirrels transmit squirrel pox which is fatal to red squirrels, causing their population fragmentation. Additionally, she mentioned the £37 million annual cost of damage caused by grey squirrels to the timber industry and discussed the need for sustainable forestry practices. The Minister stated there will be a refreshed five-year plan focusing on advice, incentives for land managers, collaboration, partnerships, funding, and research. She encouraged land managers involved in countryside stewardship to take advantage of squirrel management supplements.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.