HL Deb 21 October 2004 vol 665 cc101-2WA
Earl Peel

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ensure that red squirrels are included in Annexe IV of the European Union Habitats Directive. [HL4229]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)

Annexe IV of the Habitats Directive lists the species for which member states must ensure a system of strict protection, including prohibiting taking, killing and trade in such species. This system of strict protection is applied in the UK by means of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994. Although the red squirrel is not listed in Annexe IV of the directive, it is strictly protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. It is also a priority species in the UK biodiversity action plan.

The department has recently begun reconsidering the scientific and technical information available on the conservation status of the red squirrel in other member states, and the best means of addressing the threats which it may face in the UK and elsewhere in the EU. As part of this process we shall explore the possibility of including red squirrels in Annexe IV of the Habitats Directive.