26th June 2006

M.P’S TO DEBATE RED SQUIRRELS 

Red squirrels will be the subject of discussion at Westminster when M.P’s debate their future this week (Wednesday 28^th June). 

In an adjournment debate, called for by Peter Atkinson M.P., the impact of grey squirrels on the survival of red squirrels will be the centrepiece of the discussion. 

“The government needs to wake up to the fact that unless action is taken and taken quickly there will be no red squirrels in this country within 20-years.  The dominant alien grey squirrel will have driven them to extinction”, said Peter Atkinson, Conservative M.P. for Hexham. 

“My constituency is one of the very few in the country where red squirrels are present but as each day goes by the grey squirrel is taking its toll on this dwindling population”.   

Red squirrels can now only be found in isolated pockets in England and Wales and in parts of Scotland.  The Scottish population has been put under renewed pressure by the discovery in Scotland of the squirrelpox virus, which is carried by the greys yet lethal to red squirrels.   

“We are delighted that this debate is being held in the House of Commons.  The House of Lords discussed the matter earlier this year and it is good to see that politicians in both houses and in all parties are taking an interest in this important matter,” said Miles Barne, Chairman of the European Squirrel Initiative. 

Issued on behalf of the ESI by Kendalls. For more information, please contact Peter Atkinson M.P., telephone 020 7219 4128 or Andrew Kendall, telephone 01394 610022.  Mobile: 07850 601354.