Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Monday, 9 May 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 May 2011. It was answered by Lord Benyon (Conservative) on Monday, 16 May 2011 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Squirrels

Question: (2) what recent steps her Department has taken to affect the number of red squirrels in England.

Answer: In England, the approach to red squirrel conservation is to secure long-term habitat and conditions favouring the red squirrel in areas which grey squirrels have not yet reached in significant numbers, and to limit grey squirrel expansion into these areas.The Forestry Commission and Natural England are, on behalf of the Government, delivering this policy in partnership with the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, the Wildlife Trusts, landowners and volunteers, through the Red Squirrel North England Project. A project manager has been employed by the Red Squirrel Survival Trust with the remaining staff being hired by the Wildlife Trusts. Funding is being provided by all partners and volunteers will be taking a central role in the new project.In the north of England 17 reserves have been identified where long-term survival of the species is considered most likely. Targeted control of grey squirrels is carried out in the reserves and surrounding buffer zones. In addition, the reserves and surrounding areas are being managed in ways that favour red squirrels. In the south-east, where there are secure populations on the Isle of Wight and Poole Harbour islands, there is an action plan in place to respond to the appearance of grey squirrels.

Secondary information