§ Earl Peelasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to instigate research into the effects of grey squirrels on declining woodland bird populations. [HL468]
§ Lord WhittyA number of the partners in the Woodland Bird Group, which is chaired by the Forestry Commission, are developing a research proposal for a study into whether control of grey squirrel can improve the breeding productivity of woodland birds. No decision on support for the research will be taken until the proposal and a supporting funding package has been promulgated by the partnership.
§ Earl Peelasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect to receive the final policy statement on grey squirrel control in England from the Forestry Commission; and [HL469]
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 11 October (WA 42–43), whether it is their policy to control the grey squirrel exclusively for the purpose of protecting new broadleaf woodland; or whether this policy is also in place in order to protect and sustain the red squirrel population. [HL471]
§ Lord WhittyThe recently consulted policy and action statement prepared by the Forestry Commission and Defra set out the Government's role as being
To support and encourage the effective and humane control of grey squirrels, focusing resources on locations where they are causing the 19WA greatest threat to the sustainable management of woodland, and the associated public benefits.To fund, in partnership with others, research into methods of control and silvicultural techniques which offer effective population control and management.To work in partnership with other organisations, at a local, England, GB and international level, in achieving these policy objectives.To continue to monitor and evaluate the damage caused by grey squirrels and the threat they pose to sustainable woodland management.The policy will cover situations where viable populations of red squirrels are threatened by colonisation by greys.
The consultation period on this statement concluded on 10 December and the responses are still being considered. A final policy and action statement will be submitted for consideration by ministers early in 2005.
§ Earl Peelasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is their policy that the Forestry Commission should play a leading role by demonstrating, through example, the best methods of controlling the grey squirrel. [HL472]
§ Lord WhittyFor many years the Forestry Commission's research agency, Forest Research, has investigated means by which grey squirrel populations may be controlled. The recommended methods and best current practice are set out in the Forestry Commission'sForestry Practice Note 4 (revised) "Controlling Grey Squirrel Damage to Woodland", the latest edition of which was published in April 2004 and is available in the Library of the House.
The Forestry Commission has also run a series of regional seminars for landowners and managers aimed at the dissemination of best practice on grey squirrel control techniques. The draft grey squirrel policy and action paper, on which consultation has just closed, recommends the continuation of these seminars.
In addition, where the Forestry Commission undertakes grey squirrel control on the public forest, estate it follows best current practice.
§ Lord Livsey of Talgarthasked Her Majesty's Government:
What consultation has taken, or will take, place during the preparation of the Forestry Commission's policy statement on grey squirrel control in England. [HL475]
§ Lord WhittyIn June 2004 the Forestry Commission, in partnership with the England Squirrel Forum, prepared a document "Towards a Forestry Commission England Grey Squirrel Policy". This examined the impacts of grey squirrels and explored options for their management. The document sought to provide a baseline and context from which policy and delivery actions could be developed. Its preparation involved input from, or consultation with, over 25 organisations.
20WAFollowing this process the Forestry Commission and Defra produced a draft statement "Grey Squirrels in England—Policy and Action" that was used for expert consultation in November 2004. The consultation involved all organisations in England known by the Forestry Commission, Defra and their agencies to have a particular interest in grey squirrels. The draft statement was also sent to the chairs of the Scottish and Welsh squirrel forum for their comments.
§ Lord Livsey of Talgarthasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 11 October (>WA 42–43 ), whether it is the Forestry Commission's policy to control grey squirrels on dedicated Forestry Commission land for the protection of (a) woodland; and (b) the red squirrel population. [HL476]
§ Lord WhittyOn the public forest estate the Forestry Commission focuses its resources, and hence management, on locations where grey squirrels cause the greatest threat to the sustainable management of woodland. This includes targeting control to protect timber where it is cost-effective to do so and also to protect threatened red squirrel populations in priority areas identified under the species action plan.
Land managed by the commission is not subject to dedication under the provisions of Section 5 of the Forestry Act 1967 (as amended). The only land dedicated by the Forestry Commission is under Section 16 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 as access land; such dedication has no bearing on the policy to control grey squirrels.
§ Lord Livsey of Talgarthasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 11 October (WA 41), when they intend to complete a cost estimation and cost-benefit analysis for the effective control of grey squirrels. [HL477]
§ Lord WhittyI can confirm that we are still awaiting the final report on the research to develop a standard methodology to assess the risks posed by non-native species to the environment. The research is expected to end at the end of January 2005, and a final report will be submitted to Defra for consideration. As yet, no decisions have been taken on priorities for applying the assessment techniques.
The Forestry Commission Practice Note Controlling Grey Squirrel Damage to Woodland recommends that cost-effectiveness of squirrel control should be monitored. However, it is up to landowners to undertake any cost-benefit analyses they think necessary on whether the control of grey squirrel is appropriate within a particular woodland or forest.
21WA
§ Lord Livsey of Talgarthasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 11 October (WA 41 ), what other species of fauna are being routinely assessed and researched other than the grey squirrel. [HL478]
§ Lord WhittyThere are currently no formal systems for routinely assessing the risks posed by non-native birds and mammals. However, Defra is funding research to develop a standard methodology to assess the risks posed by non-native species to the environment. This research is expected to be completed in February 2005 and the report will be published on Defra's website.
Information on new mammal and bird species identified in the UK is collected through a variety of existing monitoring schemes such as the Rural Development Service's wildlife reports and the Biological Records centre. For established non-native species population distribution, numbers and trends are commonly monitored through the same schemes set in place to monitor native birds and mammals: the British Trust for Ornithology is an example of such a monitoring scheme for birds, and the Tracking Mammals Partnership for mammals.
In addition, species-specific risk assessments and studies are conducted whenever species are considered to pose an existing or potential threat to native biodiversity, to human or animal health, or to economic interests. Recent examples of such assessments include national surveys of ruddy duck and feral wild boar, and black rats on Lundy Island.
§ Lord Livsey of Talgarthasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 11 October (WA 41–42), whether they intend to estimate the cost of the damage caused to (a) community forests, and (b) other grant-aided planting schemes by the grey squirrel population. [HL479]
§ Lord WhittyThere are currently no plans to estimate the cost of grey squirrel damage to either the community forests or other grant-aided planting schemes. It is accepted that grey squirrels may cause damage to such woodlands but any attempt to accurately estimate the cost of such damage is fraught with difficulty due to the large number of variable factors involved. For example, natural variations in squirrel populations can have an impact on damage levels, as can woodland management regimes. There is a great deal of uncertainty involved in predicting the value of the final crop, particularly the differential between prime quality and lower grade timber.
22WAIn addition, the cost of damage is not solely related to timber, particularly in the case of community planting schemes where landscape and amenity values may be relevant.