For almost a century, grey squirrels have been widely recognised as a problem in Britain.
Introduced at the end of the 19th century as an ornamental species, their population has since boomed – meanwhile the population of the native red squirrel has plummeted, due to the greys infecting them with new diseases and outcompeting them for food.
The grey squirrel population is estimated to be 2.7 million, and is continuing to grow, despite government initiatives to control the population.
In comparison, there are only around 287,000 red squirrels, which live in fragmented small pockets in places like Scotland, Formby and the Isle of Wight.
Grey squirrels do not only pose a threat to the red squirrel. They also cost us millions each year.
It has been estimated that 15% of broadleaf area and 5% of coniferous forest area are damaged by grey squirrels. The costs of timber damage, reduced carbon capture, and replanting - purely because of grey squirrels - was estimated to be £37 million per year, according to a report by the Royal Forestry Society.
The Conservatives are now pushing for changes to the law, to “eradicate” these threats to our native squirrel population.
Lord Roborough, a Shadow Defra Minister, has been leading the charge, tabling an amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that intends to control damaging invasive species such as muntjac and grey squirrels.
This amendment would make it necessary for Natural England to eradicate all invasive non-native species that could pose risks to the environmental features of a site.
Lord Roborough said:
“These are not squirrels, they are rats that live in trees. They are killing millions of native broadleaves every year as they enter their prime and threatening the survival of red squirrels.
“It is time Natural England finally took responsibility for eradicating these vermin and other menacing invasive species in order to protect our green and pleasant land and the native creatures that call it home.
“We need real action to restore ecological balance to our environment and end the plight of red squirrels. My amendment would do exactly that.”
The threat grey squirrels pose is clear. What remains to be seen is whether or not concerted action will be taken to mitigate the damage. But there is hope for the future.
Lord Roborough’s amendment comes at a time when there is increasing awareness of the damage that grey squirrels cause to British flora and fauna.
Author Charlotte Potter has recently published a children’s book, “Matilda and the Cumbrian Red Squirrel”, that explores the issue.
Ms Potter, originally from North Yorkshire, stated that since starting to work with children in London she was struck by how some of them are completely unaware of the native red squirrel’s existence. Similarly, many do not know that some animals, such as grey squirrels and the parakeets seen in London, are invasive species. Her book thus intends to educate and inspire the next generation.
Books like Ms Potter’s play a crucial role in battling the grey squirrel. It is only through informing the public about the damage caused by such invasive non-native species that effective change will be brought about.
Another way in which campaigners are seeking to educate the public is the push for the consumption of squirrel meat.
In much the same way that wild food campaigners push for more widespread venison consumption to help encourage controlled management of the unsustainably high deer numbers in Britain, some have similarly called for more Britons to eat squirrel meat.
Gareth Wyn Jones, the popular Welsh hill farmer, is but one of many who advocates for the consumption of squirrel meat.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain ahead of 2023’s Welsh Game Fair, he said of grey squirrels that they were “causing our red squirrels to be taken out of the equation, so every one of these grey squirrels we’re eating is going to give room for the red squirrel.”
He continued: “By promoting shooting and taking grey squirrels out of the equation, we’re going to help the reds, but as well we’re going to have a tasty meal. We’re going to have a burger that’s very healthy, it’s going to be very nutritious.”
It remains to be seen whether Britain is in store for a grey future, or whether red squirrels will be seen across the length and breadth of the country, while Britons happily munch on grey squirrel burgers.
What we can be sure of, however, is that there is increasing awareness of both the problem of the grey squirrel, and what can be done to solve it. And that can only be a good thing.