House of Commons · Westminster Hall
28 November 2023 · 3 other contributors · 4,432 words
Opened by Virginia Crosbie Con Ynys Môn
Responding minister: Rebecca Pow
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Virginia Crosbie raised concerns about grey squirrels in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
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.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
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.
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.
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.
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 PowThe 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.