9th November 2006

SQUIRREL ACTION PLAN WELCOMED BY LEADING SQUIRREL CHARITY

The Scottish Red Squirrel Action Plan published this week by Scottish National Heritage, the Scottish Executive and the Forestry Commission,Scotland has been welcomed by one of the United Kingdom’s leading squirrel charities, the European Squirrel Initiative (ESI). 

The Plan, which was produced at the request of the Scottish Environment Minister, Rhona Brankin, looks at ways in which Scottish red squirrels can be protected from the invasive American grey squirrel.  

The Plan’s publication comes at a time when Scotland’s native red squirrels are being threatened by the disease, squirrelpox, which is lethal to reds but carried harmlessly by the greys.  The disease, which speeds up the decline of the reds by up to a factor of 20, has been found in grey squirrels throughout Dumfreshire. 

“We welcome the Plan and call on the Minister to implement it as soon as possible.  The key to its success will be the appointment of an individual who will be responsible for its effective implementation.  Time is not on our side,” said Miles Barne, Chairman of the European Squirrel Initiative. 

“While the recommendations contained in the Plan are not a long term solution, they will, at least, give valuable breathing space during which time effective methods of grey squirrel control can be developed,” he added. 

The proposals contained in the Plan’s third option are most widely supported and will require a budget of £3.5 million over the next five years. 

The Plan’s provisions include: 

·                   The development of a number of red squirrel “strongholds”.

·                   Further protection given to buffer zones around red and grey populations.

·                   The appointment of further grey squirrel control officers.

·                   Research committed to developing a vaccine into the squirrelpox virus.

The Plan is available on SNH’s website: www.snh.org.uk