INV0111
Written evidence submitted by Mr and Mrs R J and J Cluer
We are writing as concerned individuals and UK residents to protest against the persecution of Grey Squirrels in the UK.
There are many “Scientific” myths concerning the decline of Red Squirrels and forestry damage which are often used to justify persecution of Grey Squirrels.
1) Grey Squirrels infect Red Squirrels with SPQV which leads to their death.
Grey Squirrels carrying SPQV display no lesions, their saliva does not carry SPQV infection, Grey and Red Squirrels do not engage in sexual contact. As anyone who understands viral infection knows this leaves virtually no route by which the virus can be spread. Conversely, as infected Red Squirrel saliva contains high concentrations of the virus, as do the lesions caused by the disease, infection can easily spread among the Red Squirrel population.
2) Grey Squirrels out-compete Red Squirrels for food.
This myth is not confirmed by any scientific study. All "competition" studies conducted in the last 20 years confirm that competition between Grey and Red Squirrels is minimal. Low competition between Grey and Red Squirrels results from the fact that Grey Squirrels feed mainly from sources that Red Squirrels do not. As an aside to this, Grey Squirrels are excellent forest regenerators and their presence in the area causes a long term increase in habitat quality (more seed availability from trees planted by them) for other animals.
3) Grey Squirrels are a threat to Birds.
Studies by Natural England and the BTO in 2009, designed to support culling of Grey Squirrels concluded, "Grey Squirrels don’t have a significant impact on the bird populations in the UK".
Research from 2014 about the relationship between Grey Squirrels and bird populations confirmed the results from 2009 adding at the same time that: "the presence of Grey Squirrels was positively related to the diversity and population size of birds most vulnerable to predation"
4) Grey Squirrels cause huge losses by damaging trees.
This myth was previously used to justify killing hundreds of thousands of Red Squirrels in previous eras. All Squirrels (and many other animals) during times of hunger can cause damage to a tree saving themselves from starvation but the scale of such damage is grossly exaggerated. Usually the number of trees that die as a result is not more than a few percent. For many years, cheaper and non-lethal methods to prevent damage have been effectively used world-wide.
True Reasons for the decline in Red Squirrels
The main reason for UK Red Squirrel decline is the actions of “Homo Sapiens”
Red Squirrels were extinct in the UK in the 18th century mainly because of the destruction of their habitats. For the same reason, Red Squirrels were extinct in Portugal already in the 16th century although in nearby Spain their population was stable. In the second
half of 20th century in Portugal the focus was on the restoration of the Red Squirrels' natural habitat. Within less than 20 years the Red Squirrel population in Portugal regenerated naturally (by migration from Spain) and continues to expand.
The current Red Squirrel population in the UK, (confirmed by scientific research) are descended from Squirrels brought to the UK mainly from Scandinavia, long after Grey Squirrels were introduced. The original Red Squirrel population were brought to the UK by the Vikings; by most definitions this renders them non-native, having been introduced by man.
The Highlands of Scotland are today considered by conservationists and the government as one of the last great strongholds for red squirrels.
But for 43 years, from 1903, there was an active effort on estates across the Highlands to trap, shoot and kill Red Squirrels. By 1946, the Highland Squirrel Club had killed 102,900 Red Squirrels; tails were submitted as proof of kills.
By the 1900s, the squirrels had spread from the boundaries of the estates where they were released and were blamed for causing damage to Scots pine and other conifers.
This pattern was repeated across the UK.
All scientific studies conducted in the last 25 years confirm that human activities are responsible for definite majority (61-94%) of unnatural Red Squirrel deaths. Combined results of the biggest studies from the last 25 years show that the majority of unnatural deaths among Red Squirrels in the UK happen on roads.
Even though Red Squirrels have been protected in the UK for over 40 years, their habitat is still widely destroyed. For over 50 years, "economic reasons" have led to the destruction of habitat favourable to Red Squirrels at a rate of 8-14% per decade. Trees deemed
favourable for Red Squirrels (larch, Norway spruce, lodge pole pine, etc.) are felled and replaced with species considered "very unsuitable for maintaining a stable population of Red Squirrels" (mixed woodlands, Sitka spruce, etc.). Forestry policy has caused rapid decline of Red Squirrel population they don’t have "woodland corridors" enabling movement to other habitat after woodland clearance. Therefore Red Squirrels are unable to obtain adequate food without considerable supplementary feeding.
There are many other reasons why the persecution of Grey Squirrels is wrong, we have, however tried to counter those most often used to justify such abhorrent actions.
Thank you for your consideration in this important matter.