RED SQUIRRELS ARE VICTIM OF HABITATS DIRECTIVE

Anomalies within the EU Habitats Directive mean that one of Britain 's rarest mammals, the European Red Squirrel, is about to be dispossessed of one its few remaining strongholds - Newborough Forest on the island of Anglesey .

Because the Red Squirrel is not listed as an endangered species within the directive, the animal misses out on special support and protection afforded other animals, such as the preservation of its territory.

A huge problem is that the Habitats Directive requires that sand dunes should be allowed to revert to their natural state - and to meet this requirement and at the request of the Countryside Commission for Wales (CCW) the Forestry Commission Wales is planning to clear-fell the forestry land at Newborough, which is planted on sand-dunes.

"We know that the Red Squirrel is not endangered in some other parts of Europe - but that does not lessen the peril in which the species finds itself in the UK , Ireland and Italy ," says Roger Cook, secretary of the European Squirrel Initiative.

"We urge the European Commission to revisit Annexes 2 and 4 of the Habitats Directive, to list the European Red Squirrel as an endangered species and to protect its habitat," he added. "We look forward to working with DEFRA and the Forestry Commission to achieve this very important step towards the protection of this much-loved member of our native fauna."


Issued on behalf of the ESI by Kendalls . For more information, please contact Andrew Kendall, telephone 01394 610022.

NOTES
The European Squirrel Initiative was founded in June 2002 by a group of concerned landowners, conservationists and foresters under the umbrella of Woodland Heritage. The organisation seeks the restoration of the native Red Squirrel and the protection of the natural environment by removing the impact of the alien Grey Squirrel in Europe .
Its role is to
· Persuade conservation bodies and governments of the absolute necessity of ridding Europe of the Grey Squirrel.
· Continue to commission research into the impact of the Grey Squirrel on local ecosystems.

(4/8/04)