Red Squirrel Protection Call
Ahead of attending a briefing session in Buchlyvie, Stirlingshire, for Scotland’s landowners to learn how best to protect Scotland’s red squirrel population, Mid-Scotland & Fife Tory MSP Murdo Fraser has called on the new SNP Government to put in place strong procedures that will protect red squirrels in Perthshire, Angus and across Scotland.
The briefing session has been organised by the European Squirrel Initiative, a charity which campaigns throughout Europe to protect the red squirrel through the effective control of the grey squirrel. The grey squirrel is the principal threat to the survival of the red squirrel in Scotland as it displaces the red squirrel from its habitat. |
|
|
Furthermore, the grey squirrel carries the disease squirrel pox virus, which does not affect the grey squirrel but kills red squirrels. In May 2007 the first confirmed case of a red squirrel dying from squirrel pox virus in Scotland was confirmed and Murdo believes that this underlines that current action plans are not stopping the spread of the grey squirrel or the squirrel pox virus in Scotland.
Combined Effort
Commenting, the MSP said: “I welcome the European Squirrel Initiative furthering the debate on the future of the red squirrel in Scotland and giving landowners information on how best protect red squirrels. It is important that there is a combined effort between groups involved in protecting red squirrels, landowners and government to help the species.
“In Parliament, we need to see a real commitment from the SNP Government to protect our native red squirrel. Scotland is the principal stronghold of the red squirrel on mainland UK and we must do everything possible to protect it."
He continued: “There is no doubt that protecting the red squirrel from encroaching grey squirrels is a massive task over a vast geographical area. The SNP Government must put in place funding to allow for more control officers and stop the spread of the grey squirrels and the squirrel pox virus. Just now much of the work being done to stop grey squirrels is by a handful of control officers as well as concerned farmers and local squirrel groups who want to protect our native red squirrels.
Measures Needed
“Perthshire and Angus are home to red and grey squirrels. There are no cases of squirrel pox virus in our area but it seems that the virus is spreading north from the South of Scotland. I believe that we need strong measures to stop the grey squirrels further encroaching on the reds’ territory in Perthshire and Angus. I will continue to campaign for the red squirrel until we see real commitment and real action taken to stop the spread of the grey squirrel.”
|
