Written question asked by Diana Organ (Labour) on Thursday, 14 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 October 2004. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Monday, 25 October 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to ensure that the red squirrel will be included in Annex IV of the EU Habitats Directive.

Answer: Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to ensure that the red squirrel will be included in Annex IV of the EU Habitats Directive. [192518] Mr. Bradshaw: Annex IV of the Habitats Directive lists the species for which member states must ensure a system of strict protection, including prohibiting taking, killing and trade in such species. This system of strict protection is applied in the UK by means of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations 1994. Although the red squirrel is not listed in Annex IV of the Directive, it is strictly protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. It is also a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. The Department has recently begun reconsidering the scientific and technical information available on the conservation status of the red squirrel in other member states, and the best means of addressing the threats which it may face in the UK and elsewhere in the EU. As part of this process we shall explore the possibility of including red squirrels in Annex IV of the Habitats Directive.

Secondary information