grey squirrel uk law

This move will bring England into line with established policies in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, where release licences are not issued. illegal in the UK for anyone to release grey squirrels into the wild, threaten native wildlife and harm the economy, In defence of the grey squirrel, Britain's most unpopular invader, exceeds that of the entire breeding population of native birds, estimated 2.5 million grey squirrels living in the UK, 9,597 grey squirrels were killed at a cost of £1,019,000. Legal status of the grey squirrel The grey squirrel is included in Schedule 9 of the WCA and the W(NI) Order. This means that it is illegal to release a grey squirrel into the wild, or allow one to escape, even if it was taken into captivity for welfare reasons. Since the introduction of the grey squirrel in the 19th century, the red has suffered serious decline and is now only found in small pockets of the UK… They’re also significant predators of native adders, a species of major conservation concern, and the extremely rare sand lizard. Grey squirrels are native to North America and are considered an invasive species in the UK as they are not regulated by natural predators. I would recommend alternative methods to limit grey squirrels, and to encourage natural processes that can set a new ecological balance. It provides an easy encounter with wildlife for many people, but can be damaging to woodlands and has contributed to the decline of the red squirrel. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. As such, the grey squirrel is regarded as a pest species and is afforded no protection under UK law. Category. Jason Gilchrist, Ecologist, Edinburgh Napier University. If adopted into UK law, the regulations will force wildlife centres and veterinarians to kill healthy animals such as grey squirrels and muntjac deer. This means that wildlife rescue centres in England which previously took in, rehabilitated and released wild grey squirrels, will instead have to kill them, on both practical and ethical grounds. Invasive species cost the economy an estimated £1.7 billion per year. Non-indigenous animals, including grey squirrels (pictured) can be subject to euthanasia under new regulations . As the law stands it is perfectly legal to kill grey squirrels as long it is done in a humane manner; the Wildlife Act 2006 states that it is against the law to cause any unnecessary suffering to an animal under your care. Pine martens could be an effective, natural control on grey squirrel numbers. Copyright © 2010–2020, The Conversation US, Inc. Under the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 any person responsible for a squirrel trap would only be responsible for any animal caught by … The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019 that the Government will lay before Parliament at the beginning of March represents no change to the keeping of grey squirrels in UK law. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is also currently an offence to release grey squirrels without a licence. Once accepted as a member of the group, I was quite amazed to see that it was just a group for like-minded hunters, showing off their quarry. They have been blamed for the decline in Britain’s red squirrel population . It’s an offence to keep or release some wild animals, for example grey squirrels - you must kill them humanely if you catch them alive. There’s evidence that pheasants affect local plant communities by increasing the area of bare ground and changing the soil chemistry. It’s often argued that killing grey squirrels is justified as they predate bird nests. Where grey squirrels live. Red squirrels are native to the British Isles. Grey squirrels have rapidly spread since they were introduced into this country 150 years ago, displacing the native red squirrel. The EU license for the production and sale of Warfarin as a grey squirrel bait ended in September 2014. Grey squirrels have limited legal protection and can be controlled all year round by a variety of methods including shooting and trapping. Archant “When I first got one of my permissions, it was overrun with squirrels; in the first year alone I shot 472”. To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Elsewhere, it might make little sense for wildlife rescue centres to put time, effort and money into caring for animals that, upon release, would be targeted by a cull. This order prevents the release of these animals back into the wild to help protect the endangered red squirrel, with only 15,000 left in England. They are now very common and widespread. Bruce MacQueen/Shutterstock. Muntjac deer and grey squirrels dubbed ‘illegal aliens’ under EU rules. Read more: Firstly we would never condone killing a wild animal unless absolutely necessary and a distinction should be made between the legal protection of grey squirrels and red squirrels. Red squirrels have ear tufts whereas grey squirrels don't. An area-specific licensing system could also be maintained, whereby rescue centre greys are only released in areas with no red squirrels and no commercial forestry concerns. Any companion animal of a listed species - that was kept before it was included on the EU list - may continue to be kept in secure accommodation, as long as it is not able to breed until the end of its natural life. There is currently no other licensed poison for grey squirrel control. The Government has a long-term strategy to help control grey squirrel populations where they are identified as a specific threat to forestry or to existing populations of red squirrels. I saw the news reports and promptly joined the group to show my support and to see what all the fuss was about. Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. Advice Note – Red Squirrels and the Law 2004 by UK Red Squirrel Group. Under Schedule 9 of the WCA, it is illegal to release a grey squirrel into the wild, or allow one to escape. There are 11 million pet cats in the UK, which kill about 27 million wild birds each year and around 92 million wild prey in total. 1 comment. More recently Black Squirrels, which are a colour variant of the grey squirrel, have been observed in several southern counties of the UK. It’s illegal in the UK for anyone to release grey squirrels into the wild from December 2019. You’ve accepted all cookies. Where and when to see squirrels and their dreys . Grey squirrels are vulnerable because they were introduced to the UK in the 1800s from North America. PUBLISHED: 15:41 20 February 2018 | UPDATED: 16:32 20 February 2018. While domestic and feral cats decimate songbird populations, they’re unlikely to be targeted for culls any time soon. All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, EU Regulation (1143/2014) on invasive alien (non-native) species, Coastal access in Cornwall: plan of the St Mawes to Cremyll stretch, England Coast Path from Highcliffe to Calshot: comment on proposals, Coastal access in Cornwall from St Mawes to Cremyll: comment on proposals, Common land: transfer of a right of common in gross (CA6), Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support, Transparency and freedom of information releases. There are also glaring contradictions in what is considered invasive and what needs to be controlled. You must not let it go as this act would be illegal. The government says non-native species are a threat to the UK’s native biodiversity. If you ever attempt a close encounter with a grey squirrel you will discover that they have a vicious bite. Fertility Control (Immunocontraception) Fertility Control could provide a number of benefits because it is a non-lethal, humane and publicly acceptable method of grey control. The only successful local eradication happened in Anglesey in Wales, where 9,597 grey squirrels were killed at a cost of £1,019,000 – that’s £106.18 per squirrel, and it took 16 years. 20 December 2019, 3:50 am. Snares can be legally used to kill foxes and dogs can be legally used to flush foxes out of cover to be shot. It’s illegal in the UK for anyone to release grey squirrels into the wild from December 2019. Originally introduced from North America, grey squirrels are now common in England, Wales and central Scotland. However, they carried the squirrel … Jason Gilchrist does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Under Schedule 9 of the WCA, it is illegal to release a grey squirrel into the wild, or allow one to escape. A red squirrel coat colour can vary from the classic rusty red to much darker colours like grey and black. Stoats and weasels can be killed in snap traps. It is legal to kill grey squirrels and most people do it by trapping and shooting. Here in Britain and Europe, is classed as an Invasive Alien Species (IAS) which is any animal that is not native to the UK. Get advice Get professional advice if you do not know: The UK will continue to uphold international obligations as an EU member state and also as a responsible partner nation working closely with other countries to protect our native wildlife and forestry landscapes for future generations to enjoy. Edinburgh Napier University provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK. A moderated rimfire. But it must be done in a humane manner or you will be fined under animal welfare laws. Therefore, their coat colours can look very similar. Should the UK commit to the relentless killing of grey squirrels in perpetuity? As such, the grey squirrel is regarded as a pest species and is afforded no protection under the WCA. They are due to come into force the day before the UK is scheduled to leave the EU. But that cost also includes money spent on controlling grey squirrels, and there is no link between how much is spent on controlling their numbers and reducing damage to trees. It still is: if you inadvertently trap a grey squirrel in your garden shed, you’re breaking the law when you free it. There is no requirement on vets to euthanise any injured or healthy squirrels that are brought into rescue centres. In defence of the grey squirrel, Britain's most unpopular invader. Too often, when an animal is referred to as a pest or an invasive species, any concerns for their welfare go out the window. But the point of rescue centres isn’t principally conservation, it’s about animal welfare and well-being. Domestic cats are hunting many species of wildlife to extinction. Your hide can be made of anything but make sure it blends in with the surroundings. But just about everybody accepts the impossibility of eradicating grey squirrels. Grey squirrels and muntjac may face euthanasia under new EU law. The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order will come into effect during October 2019. 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