§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his assessment of the red squirrel population over the last decade and the measures he proposes to promote re-population of red squirrels; and if he will make a statement. [8918]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe red squirrel has continued to decline throughout Wales, as it has throughout southern Britain, over the past 10 years. Remnant populations are now confined to a few large conifer forests on the mainland and on Anglesey. This decline is at least partly attributed to the continued spread of the non-native grey squirrel. The Countryside Council for Wales, in partnership with the Forestry Commission research division, Forest Enterprise and Forestry Authority are continuing to research the habitat requirements of both red and grey squirrels in Clocaenog forest, Clwyd to identify ways in which conifer plantations can be managed to promote red and minimise grey squirrel populations. The same organisations are also considering a method of enhancing red squirrel populations on Anglesey, which involves reducing grey squirrel populations.