Government backs shooters in grey squirrel fight

Shooters will be at the heart of a new Government drive to control grey squirrels, which are costing England and Wales’ woodlands £37 million a year.
Defra’s Grey Squirrel Policy Statement, published on 29 January, commits to funding three project officers to coordinate local control groups in Lancashire, Yorkshire and County Durham, and increasing the area covered by grey squirrel management options in environmental land management schemes. Countryside Stewardship grants will continue backing management work, with funding for new control equipment once approved.
The plan comes as England’s red squirrel population has crashed to 38,900, confined to isolated pockets in Poole Harbour, the Isle of Wight and the north.
Volunteers already account for 80% of grey squirrel control in northern red squirrel strongholds, according to figures cited in the policy, which also states landowners should “make use of well-trained, competent volunteers in grey squirrel management across the whole of England”.
BASC’s Ian Danby welcomed the statement: “The role of people who shoot in supporting red squirrel recovery projects is vital for delivering this policy.” His colleague Martin Edwards added that grey squirrel management has already benefited from the input of the shooting community and the updated policy “opens the pathway for shooting to do more”.
However, the policy’s backing for pine marten recovery has drawn fire. Tim Weston of the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation warned: “Pine martens are not a solution to the grey squirrel problem; active, coordinated management remains essential.”