Government Urged To Boost Support For Killing "Menace" Grey Squirrels

A group of Tory MPs are calling on the government to increase the grants provided to landowners to trap and cull grey squirrels, and further support other methods of squirrel population control to protect the "precious" native red squirrel.

Conservative MPs Virginia Crosbie and Andrew Selous, who are members of the Conservative Environment Network (CEN), have called on the government to take "bold" action to reduce grey squirrel populations across the UK. 

Crosbie, who is MP for Ynys Môn – which includes the Isles of Anglesey where there is a sizeable red squirrel population – said the government should provide further support for people to trap and cull greys.

"It is only right that we do everything we can to protect native species in the UK. This means controlling and reducing the menace grey squirrel population to allow red squirrels to thrive," she said.

"As an Honorary Member of the Red Squirrel Trust Wales, I have met with experts here in Wales to understand what is needed. Fortunately, the government has taken some action already with the creation of the multi-million pound Species Survival Fund. 

"But, we can go further to control grey squirrels in a humane way. The government should be bold with its plans, supporting the qualified people we will require to trap and shoot them and giving sufficient support for other methods of control, such as contraceptives."

The government already pays out grants to support landowners to manage the population of grey squirrels, but some MPs believe these payments must go further and provide more support for reintroducing pine martens.

Tory MP Andrew Selous MP said the "invasion" of grey squirrels had caused millions of pounds in damage to trees and woodlands in the UK.

"We cannot sit