I’m fed up with talking about the weather, but I can console myself with the fact we have grabbed every opportunity so far and progress is not too bad.Agreement on wholesale cull…of grey squirrels
THE grey squirrel must be eradicated to stop the damage to woodlands and save the threatened red squirrel, conservationists and landowners agreed at the CLA Game Fair this weekend.
Experts from the RSPB, Natural England, CLA and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust were united in their view that grey squirrels were a pest and more resources should be thrown at a cull.
Unlike the suggested badger cull, the policy to cull grey squirrels has also received widespread public support.
Almost seven out of ten people think grey squirrels should be controlled in the UK, according to a poll commissioned by the European Squirrel Initiative earlier this year.
Dr Mark Avery, RSPB director of conservation, took part in Saturday’s (July 25) CLA debate on wildlife. He said: “If I could magic away the grey squirrel tomorrow, I would make that decision.”
Dr Steve Tapper, of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust added: “Yes, we should be eradicating some of these species.”
While Poul Christiansen, Natural England’s acting chairman, described the grey squirrel as a “nightmare”.
The grey was introduced to Britain in the 19th century and it has a population estimated at 3.3 million, compared with 160,000 red squirrels.
Not only does the grey squirrel carry a deadly pox which infects its red cousin, but it is also bigger and stronger than the red and out-muscles it for food.
Landowners say the grey squirrel also destroy thousands of maturing trees by stripping off the bark.
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Readers' comments (1)
Anonymous | 2 November 2009 7:00 pm
Hello. I have a pest control company in the South West and over the last 15 years have seen a considerable climb in the amount of calls we have had to deal with regarding grey squirrels. mainly in roof spaces, the amount of damage caused by these pest in a property cannot be underestimated we have found chewed electric cables, water pipes and also roof timbers. The damage done by these pests can run into thousands of pounds!! it is time the ruling bodies funded a culling campain against these unwanted pests. Do they not know how much tree damage is caused, and not to mention the nest and young bird predation by these animals. ITS Time to start acting and stop the talking!!
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