Written question asked by Lord Blencathra (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 July 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 July 2007. It was answered by Joan Ruddock (Labour) on Thursday, 26 July 2007 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Nature Conservation: Squirrels

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what liaison there is between the Agriculture Department of the Scottish Executive and his Department’s officers in England to ensure the maximum level of protection for red squirrels.

Answer: The UK Red Squirrel Group (UKRSG), supported by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), is the main liaison mechanism to support delivery of the red squirrel species action plan.Membership of the UKRSG includes representatives of the country groups (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), the UK Government, the devolved Administrations and their relevant conservation agencies, the Forestry Commission, and representatives of the voluntary sector (The Wildlife Trusts).The red squirrel conservation officers in Northumberland, Cumbria, Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders meet frequently and seek to co-ordinate grey squirrel control efforts either side of the Scottish border to help protect the red squirrel.

Secondary information