Written question asked by Nicholas Winterton (Conservative) on Monday, 7 June 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 June 2004. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Wednesday, 16 June 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 assessment she has made of the effect of grey squirrels on the geographical incidence of the indigenous red squirrel population in England. - (Holding answer 10 June 2004).

Answer: Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of grey squirrels on the geographical incidence of the indigenous red squirrel population in England. [178084] Mr. Bradshaw :[holding answer 10 June 2004]: Historical data show red squirrels to have been ubiquitous throughout England until the 1920's. Since the grey squirrel was released in the late 19th and early 20th century and their subsequent spread, the red squirrel has suffered a concurrent range contraction. The red squirrel seems to have made some small gains in the Yorkshire Dales, where it has been able to expand into plantations that are now maturing and producing good crops of the pine cones that it needs. The continuing expansion of the grey squirrel is to be expected and red squirrel conservation is focused on limiting that expansion in areas where the two species overlap. Some significant progress has been made in developing more effective and targeted ways of defending healthy populations of red squirrels against replacement by the grey squirrel.

Secondary information