1st February 2006

DEFRA SQUIRREL POLICY - AN ABDICATION OF INTERNATIONAL DUTY 

Detailed analysis of the recently published Defra/Forestry Commission policy to control grey squirrels offers little advance on the status quo and fails to meet Britain’s obligations under national and international law, according to the European Squirrel Initiative.   ESI, a charity committed to the restoration of Britain’s red squirrel through the control of the alien grey squirrel, urges Defra to face up to its international responsibilities under the wide range of treaties to which the U.K. is a signatory.   

“While at first sight the government’s policy proposals appear helpful, their credibility is fatally undermined by Defra Minister’s, Jim Knight’s, statement, repeated in the policy document, that ‘it is not realistic, practical or even desirable’ to eradicate grey squirrels.  By questioning the desirability of eradication Mr Knight is flying in the face of international scientific opinion and abdicating Britain’s obligations under international law,” said Roger Cook, ESI’s company secretary. 

Britain is a signatory to a variety of international treaties, including the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity, the 2004 Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species and the Bern Convention. All call on signatories to tackle the problem of invasive alien species, such as the grey squirrel.   

“The World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists the grey squirrel as amongst the worst 100 alien invasive species worldwide.  The problem of the grey squirrel is now a European one.  Invasive grey squirrels are now present on the European mainland in Italy and are rapidly spreading to other European countries.  The British government should take the lead in dealing with the problem and urge its European partners to do the same before its devastating impact on forestry and biodiversity is felt throughout the rest of Europe,” added Mr Cook. 

Ends

Issued on behalf of the ESI by Kendalls. For more information, please contact Andrew Kendall, telephone 01394 610022.  Mobile:  07850 601354

NOTES TO EDITORS

The European Squirrel Initiative was founded in June 2002 by a group of concerned conservationists and foresters. The organisation seeks the restoration of the native Red Squirrel and the protection of the natural environment by removing the impact of the alien Grey Squirrel in Europe.

Its role is to

• Persuade conservation bodies and governments of the absolute necessity of ridding Europe of the Grey Squirrel.
• Continue to commission research into the impact of the Grey Squirrel on local ecosystems.