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  BBC Online 22 Jan 06
Grey squirrels face massive cull

PlanetArk 23 Jan 06
UK to Control Spread of Grey Squirrels

LONDON - the British government announced plans on Sunday to control grey squirrels to stop them damaging woodland and threatening the survival of the rarer red squirrel.

"Many people love grey squirrels, but the reality is that they are a real problem for some of our most threatened native species, like the red squirrel and dormouse," said Biodiversity Minister Jim Knight.

"It is not realistic, practical or even desirable to completely eradicate grey squirrels, but we must control them effectively now or there will be serious consequences," he said in a statement.

"Through humane and targeted pest control in the areas where this damage is most critical, local woodland and wildlife managers will be able to control and contain these threats, and preserve or rebalance some of our native ecology."

The grey squirrel was introduced into Britain from North America in the 19th century and has spread widely, with a population now estimated at over 2 million.

They are largely responsible for the decline of the red squirrel in England, the government said, because they are stronger and more adaptable than the red and they carry the Squirrelpox virus, which is lethal to red squirrels.

BBC Online 22 Jan 06
Grey squirrels face massive cull

A massive cull of grey squirrels is to take place across Britain to try to halt declining numbers of the endangered native red population.

Biodiversity minister Jim Knight said "humane and targeted pest control" would cull greys in areas where red squirrels are being 'squeezed out'. Most reds are confined to Scotland, Cumbria and Northumbria, the Isle of Wight and islands in Poole Harbour. They are weaker than grey squirrels, which also carry the Squirrelpox virus.

Mr Knight said the aim was not to completely eradicate the greys, which have a population estimated at more than two million - outnumbering red squirrels by 66 to one.

But he said: "We must control them effectively now or there will be serious consequences."

Grey squirrels were introduced to Britain from North America in the 19th Century and have thrived in lowland areas.

It is thought the cull will use poison to reduce numbers over the next three years. The cull is being jointly organised by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Forestry Commission, after consultation with various groups, including English Nature, the National Trust, the RSPCA and the European Squirrel Initiative. Mr Knight added:

"Many people love grey squirrels, but the reality is that they are a real problem for some of our most threatened native species.

Sterilisation drugs

"Grey squirrels seriously threaten woodland management through damage to trees and woodlands and by squeezing out red squirrels and possibly other wildlife like woodland birds."

He said projects such as Red Alert north England, which manages woodland areas so they are less well-suited to grey squirrels, illustrated that intervention can work.

Lord Clark, chairman of the Forestry Commission, said the policy gave workers a "clear mandate" for protecting native species of woodland and wildlife, while allowing a "controlled presence of non-native species".

But the European Squirrel Initiative, which campaigns for the protection of the red squirrel, called for more effective ways of controlling the grey population.

It said drugs should be considered to sterilise the greys.
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