Asked by: Burnett, Alexander (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Aberdeenshire West)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will help to ensure a future for the red squirrel by resourcing the continued delivery of landscape-wide invasive grey squirrel control following the end of the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Transition Project in March 2024.
Answered by Slater, Lorna - Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity
As outlined in response to question S6W-14224 on 24 January 2023 it remains a priority for the Scottish Government to ensure the important work undertaken by Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels continues. NatureScot, Scottish Forestry and Forestry and Land Scotland are currently providing core funding for the roles of the Grey Squirrel Officers (GSOs) as part of the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels partnership project.
The Scottish Government and partners will continue to be involved in discussions on taking forward the work currently being undertaken by Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels.
All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
Asked by: Smyth, Colin (Scottish Labour - South Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken on public land that is managed by Forestry and Land Scotland to ensure that nests of (a) raptors, (b) red squirrels and (c) other protected woodland fauna are protected during the harvesting of commercial woodlands and at the time of their respective breeding seasons, where applicable.
Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) take the protection of (a) raptors, (b) red squirrels and (c) other protected woodland fauna within our woodlands very seriously, and when appropriate conduct our operations outwith their breeding seasons to avoid disturbance.
FLS adhere to the industry guidance set by the Scottish Government forestry regulator, Scottish Forestry, and where necessary apply for and follow the species licencing process regulated by NatureScot.
FLS have rigorous planning systems, checks and procedures with accompanying guidance to ensure all regulations and licence requirements to protect species are followed.
Asked by: Smyth, Colin (Scottish Labour - South Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what licensing provisions Forestry and Land Scotland has in place regarding the disturbance of red squirrels during commercial forestry operations.
Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) take the protection of priority species within our woodlands, such as red squirrels, very seriously, and when appropriate conduct their operations out with the Red Squirrel breeding season to avoid disturbance.
FLS adhere to the industry guidance set by the Scottish Government forestry regulator, Scottish Forestry, and where necessary apply for and follow the species licencing process regulated by NatureScot. They are recognised as a trusted and competent land manager and have an agreed licencing process in place that reflects that recognition.
FLS have rigorous planning systems, checks and procedures with accompanying guidance to ensure all regulations and licence requirements to protect species are followed.
Mentions:
1: Bob Seely (CON - Isle of Wight) We do not have grey squirrels, although one once got on a ferry and the ferry had to be stopped. - Speech Link
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to control the grey squirrel population.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government is committed to addressing grey squirrel impacts.
In 2019, the Government put in place the Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order. Under the Order, listed invasive species, including the grey squirrel, cannot be imported, kept, bred, transported, sold, used or exchanged, allowed to reproduce, or released into the environment.
We announced in the England Trees Action Plan and Environment Improvement Plan that we will update the Grey Squirrel Action Plan. The Government has introduced Countryside Stewardship funding for grey squirrel control and management.
We have also worked with stakeholders and the UK Squirrel Accord (UKSA) on their England Red Squirrel Action Plan which was published in January this year and sets out the actions needed to guide red squirrel conservation and recovery. Alongside the UK Squirrel Accord, research into fertility control for grey squirrels to reduce local grey squirrel populations.
Written Evidence Nov. 28 2023
Inquiry: Education and Careers in Land-based SectorsFound: The management of deer and grey squirrels will be of upmost importance in delivering the England
Mentions:
1: Virginia Crosbie (Con - Ynys Môn) constituency is Ynys Môn, and we are an island of animal lovers—animals ranging from dolphins and red squirrels - Speech Link
Asked by: Dean Russell (Conservative - Watford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to protect the (a) populations and (b) habitats of (i) hedgehogs, (ii) red squirrels and (iii) rare species of wildlife in the UK.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government remains committed to taking action to recover our threatened native species, that is why we have set four legally binding targets to drive and measure improvements in nature recovery in England. These targets are: to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030; then to reverse declines by 2042; to reduce the risk of species extinction by 2042; and restore or create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat, also by 2042. We have set out our plan and policies to deliver against our species biodiversity targets in the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP23) published 31 January 2023. The EIP23 revises the 25-Year Environment Plan as part of our obligations under the Environment Act.
Measures introduced in the Environment Act such as biodiversity net gain and Local Nature Recovery Strategies will help deliver actions to recover species such as the hedgehog. Additionally, our new environmental land management schemes will pay for sustainable farming practices, creating and preserving habitat such as such as woodland, heathland and species-rich grassland, as well as making landscape-scale environmental changes, all of which could benefit species such as hedgehog.
Defra, Natural England and the Forestry Commission are signatories to the United Kingdom Squirrel Accord. This partnership, of over 40 organisations seeks, to secure and expand red squirrel populations through the delivery of actions set out in the England Red Squirrel Action Plan. Additionally, Defra has provided £300k, to support research and development of fertility control methods to reduce numbers of grey squirrels and impacts on red squirrels, tree health and forestry. Work to reduce grey squirrel impacts will be supported by Defra’s commitment in the EIP to update the 2014 Grey Squirrel Action Plan, detailing commitments to support landowners to manage the numbers of grey squirrels.
Mentions:
1: Bob Seely (CON - Isle of Wight) Importantly, being an island, we have not had the invasion of non-native species such as deer, grey squirrels - Speech Link
2: Trudy Harrison (CON - Copeland) Friend the Member for Isle of Wight (Bob Seely) hosts red squirrels. - Speech Link