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Written question asked by Lord Blencathra (Conservative) on Thursday, 5 May 2016, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 May 2016. It was answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Conservative) on Wednesday, 11 May 2016 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Squirrels: Pest Control

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential for the reintroduction of pine martens into areas of the UK that are infested with grey squirrels.

Answer

The Forestry Commission is involved in the Vincent Wildlife Trust’s pine marten recovery project in mid and north Wales. The Forestry Commission in England is supporting a project in the Forest of Dean with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Natural England, Forest Research and others to pursue a pine marten restoration project. This project includes studies into impacts of pine martens including on trees and other wildlife. Natural England is also working with the Trust to restore viable populations of pine martens to northern England.

The Forestry Commission is also working closely with one of the authors of the paper that identified the decline in grey squirrel populations in the Irish midlands, which may be associated with the abundance of pine martens. The work with the author and others will further explore the relationship between red squirrels, grey squirrels and pine martens in the UK.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL8220
Session
2015-16
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Pest control Squirrels Pine martens
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk