Red Squirrels
The final item of business is a members' business debate on motion S3M-1950, in the name of Murdo Fraser, on action to protect the red squirrel. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament is concerned at the continuing encroachment of the non-native grey squirrel in Scotland on native red squirrel territory, including parts of Mid-Scotland and Fife; notes that Scotland is the last stronghold in the United Kingdom for red squirrels and is home to approximately 120,000 reds, which accounts for 75% of the UK red squirrel population; observes that red and grey squirrels are unable to co-exist together in the same territory and that red squirrels eventually disappear due to competition for food and the carrying of the squirrel pox virus by grey squirrels which is harmless to them but fatal to reds; is alarmed to learn that the first grey squirrel was officially reported in the Highlands near Inverness in April 2008 and that the first red squirrel in Scotland contracted squirrel pox in the South of Scotland in May 2007, underlining the growing threat to red squirrels in Scotland, and believes that urgent action is required to protect the red squirrel, including research into immunocontraception for grey squirrels.
I thank the many members who signed my motion and those who have stayed behind for this evening's debate.
At the outset, I put on record my thanks to all the conservation groups, organisations, landowners and individuals who have been working to protect the red squirrel in Scotland. Although much of their work and commitment goes unnoticed, it is vital for the survival of one of Scotland's most iconic mammals.
We are debating a serious subject, which I first raised in the Scottish Parliament in June 2006. Amazingly, and to my great disappointment, some people still react with amusement when I mention the issue, but we are talking about protecting the red squirrel from extinction in the United Kingdom. As Scotland is the last stronghold for red squirrels in the UK, we must play a leading role in saving them, and the longer we leave it, the harder it will be to reverse the decline in their numbers.
Why is the red squirrel under threat? As I set out in my motion, the threat comes from its cousin the grey squirrel. I will give some facts and figures. It is estimated that there are 160,000 red squirrels in the UK, 120,000 of which are in Scotland. In comparison, the UK's grey squirrel population is estimated to be between 3.5 million and 5 million.
Grey squirrels and red squirrels do not fight each other, but they cannot co-exist, and red squirrels eventually disappear from areas that have both reds and greys, because grey squirrels outcompete the reds for food and shelter. Since grey squirrels were first introduced in the UK from America in 1876, they have continuously encroached on red squirrel territory.
To make matters worse, grey squirrels now carry the squirrel pox virus, which is harmless to greys but fatal to reds. The first confirmation, in summer 2007, that a red squirrel in Scotland had died from squirrel pox showed that the disease had entered the country.
The red squirrel is under serious threat and may eventually become extinct in the wild if no action is taken. There are groups and individuals who believe that we should leave nature to take its course and allow red squirrels to become extinct. I reject such a pseudo-Thatcherite view. I do not want the red squirrel to become extinct. I believe that we need Government intervention to help the conservation groups that have been set up to protect the red squirrel. To the credit of the Scottish Government, with the Minister for Environment, Mike Russell, taking the lead, it has acted to help the red squirrel. I have a great deal of admiration for anyone who can coin the slogan, "Tough on seagulls, tough on the causes of seagulls," as the minister did in a different context. To paraphrase him, it is time to be tough on grey squirrels and tough on the causes of grey squirrels.
The Minister for Environment recently launched a new project in south Scotland. The red squirrels in south Scotland project has brought together a number of organisations and landowners, including Buccleuch Estates, to stop the spread of squirrel pox into Scotland by controlling the invasive grey species in the region. The project covers Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire. The plan is to create a border, as such, to stop the spread of squirrel pox into Scotland, the idea being that anything north of that border will be free of squirrel pox.
What should be done next? At the moment, the red squirrels in south Scotland project needs to take precedence. It is right that we are concentrating on stopping the immediate threat of squirrel pox infiltrating the squirrel population in Scotland, but grey squirrels will continue to displace red squirrels, and action needs to be taken in other parts of the country, such as Angus and Perthshire.
I am sure that the member would agree that it is important to put on record that the project in the south of Scotland, which does take precedence, is a collaborative project between Scottish Natural Heritage, the Forestry Commission, the Scottish Wildlife Trust—a non-governmental organisation—and the private sector. Its strength comes from that broadly based approach, which is what we need in every part of Scotland.
I am grateful to the minister for clarifying that point, and I am entirely happy to endorse his comments.
At the moment, the red squirrel faces one of two futures. The first is that grey squirrels will eventually populate the whole of the United Kingdom and the reds will be gone. The second is that we will continue on our current path, which involves having a dozen or so control officers in Scotland and continuing to reduce the number of greys, but allowing them to repopulate areas again and again. The first outcome is not wanted and the second is not sustainable, which is why we need a long-term strategy. No doubt some members will believe that a mass cull of greys is the long-term plan that is needed. However, there have been large culls in the past. In the 1950s, 1.5 million grey squirrels were culled but, with millions of greys in the UK today, it is clear that that has had little long-term impact on the grey squirrel population.
As set out in my motion, I want the Scottish Government to consider other strategies, such as research into the possibility of immunocontraception for grey squirrels to stop them breeding. Essentially, that would involve putting something in the feedstuffs of grey squirrels to stop them breeding. It would be a form of chemical sterilisation. Although it would be difficult to ensure that other species did not eat the feedstuffs in question, it needs to be investigated. We should also consider plans that would help to improve the red squirrel habitat throughout Scotland by, for example, planting trees that are red squirrel friendly, such as a mix of broad-leaved and coniferous trees.
I hope that this debate acts as a catalyst for ideas and strategies to help protect the red squirrel—ideas and strategies that the Scottish Government can use and build on. I thank the minister for the work that he has personally put in to protect the red squirrel. The positive and proactive role that he has taken is exactly what is needed if we are to be successful.
I have a number of questions for the minister. First, will the Scottish Government consider immunocontraception for the grey squirrel population? What other long-term approaches will the Government consider? Clearly, it is a cross-border issue, so will the minister take it up with his counterparts at Westminster? Does he agree that we need joined-up thinking and a collaborative approach, as has already been demonstrated in the south of Scotland?
Today's debate is about protecting our red squirrels. We must find a long-term strategy to save the red squirrel from extinction in Scotland. I hope that members will join together to try to achieve that worthwhile objective.
I congratulate Murdo Fraser on initiating this members' business debate. One need only research the list of written parliamentary questions on red squirrels to see the considerable contribution that he has made and his consistent interest in the subject.
Securing the red squirrel's future is important because the species has a particular influence and impact in the Scottish context. As the motion states, Scotland
"is home to … 75% of the UK red squirrel population".
The motion and what has been said so far indicate the seriousness of the situation. The red squirrel is under serious attack, especially as a result of the arrival of pox-carrying grey squirrels from England. Despite the best efforts of Scottish Natural Heritage, which has funded grey squirrel control officer posts throughout Scotland, the squirrel pox virus has arrived in Lockerbie, as Murdo Fraser said, and is causing much anxiety. However, I am concerned that it appears that there are no control officers along the central belt. It is clear that most squirrel groups in Scotland are covered, but there seems to be a gap almost right across the central belt in the barrier to stop the spread of the grey squirrel pox.
Protection of Scotland's species and habitats is nothing new. As far back as February 2004, various agencies and conservationists realised that there was a substantial threat to red squirrels, and that co-ordinated action to protect them was required. The plan that was developed back then by Scottish Natural Heritage and the Forestry Commission, with the support of voluntary bodies, led to the creation of 25 refuges in large coniferous planted areas. That was a welcome step to protect the species, especially as grey squirrels dislike such plantations.
Today, I spoke to Andy Gallacher, who is a Forestry Commission beat ranger. He said that there is a large population of red squirrels in the Carron valley, but he fears that encroachment by grey squirrels from surrounding areas may deplete that population, particularly if the squirrel pox virus is introduced there.
Investment in and support of projects such as the red squirrels in south Scotland project are necessary, as conservationists are attempting to halt the decline of the red squirrel population throughout Scotland. It has been said that the red squirrel population has been in steady decline for the past 50 years. Murdo Fraser's motion rightly focuses on the situation in Mid-Scotland and Fife, but the decline of the red squirrel population from Argyll and Bute to Aberdeenshire means that any discussion of the red squirrel involves serious time factors. Species that are native to Scotland, such as the red squirrel, have been under sustained attack and constant threat. One has only to observe the regular cull in North Lanarkshire of ruddy ducks that have been imported from America to realise that there are long-term implications for Scotland's sustainability agenda when man meddles with the ecosystem.
There is much more that I could say. As Murdo Fraser did, I thank the many groups throughout Scotland that are watching the impact of the grey squirrel's encroachment. In particular, I thank those who are involved in the online Scottish squirrel survey. Individuals can report daily or hourly where they have seen grey squirrel and red squirrel habitats. That way, where the grey squirrels are and whether they are encroaching on red squirrel habitats to the danger of red squirrels can be found out. I also thank the other organisations that have taken the time and effort to continue to raise the issue of red squirrels: the Scottish Countryside Alliance, for example, raised the issue in its latest publication. It is clear that a problem exists. I await with interest what the minister will say about what he intends to do to ensure the continued existence of the red squirrel in Scotland.
I very much welcome the effort that Murdo Fraser has put into this subject and congratulate him on securing the debate. As some members will know, although I live in the Highlands now, I was brought up on the edge of Hawick in the Borders. Outside our house was a large beech tree and, as a child, I used to watch red squirrels occupying it in the late summer and autumn. I remember being fascinated and enthralled by these delicate, agile creatures as I watched them collecting, storing and eating beech nuts. The town park just beyond where I lived was full of red squirrels. It was not uncommon to see them in that community when I was a child; they were part of the fabric of the Scottish countryside in which I grew up.
I am now fortunate to live on the edge of woodland outside Inverness. I still see red squirrels there, but only occasionally. I would hate to think that the day could come when there were no red squirrels left in this country—that is an appalling thought. The Highlands and Islands—the Highland mainland in particular—have some of the last sanctuaries for red squirrels but, as Murdo Fraser said, even that is potentially threatened.
My dilemma in all this is that I also quite like grey squirrels. When I walk to work through Princes Street gardens—which I do not infrequently—I like to see grey squirrels, which are among the few wild mammals we see in a city centre. I remember vividly being in a pub—a rare occurrence for me, as all members know—in London in which all the windows were open and, lo and behold, a grey squirrel came in, hopped on to the bar and started eating the peanuts. Most people fled, screaming, but I found it fascinating. Seeing grey squirrels is one of the few ways of getting close to nature in a cityscape.
However, as the motion states correctly, the sad truth of the matter is that the reds and the greys simply cannot co-exist. In the end, the greys will win out and the reds will lose out. The sad reality is that if we want to see red squirrels in Scotland in the long term, we have to take action.
So, what is to be done? First, we must ensure that the issue stays at the top of our list of priorities in nature conservation. As Murdo Fraser said rightly, a long-term strategy should be part of that approach. This issue crosses all the political parties. It is a subject that gets widespread local coverage and action on it is taken by people throughout the country who have an interest in it.
Rhona Brankin called for action on the issue back in 2006 when she was a minister, and the red squirrel had been identified as a conservation priority in the UK biodiversity action plan in 1995. The Scottish red squirrel action plan was designed to try to reduce the decline in distribution and numbers of red squirrels in Scotland. As others have said, SNH and the Forestry Commission are working closely on the matter.
The Highland area is going to be critical to the long-term survival of the red squirrel. Part of the fight, notwithstanding what is happening properly in the south of Scotland, is about protecting the Highlands and maintaining its near integrity against grey squirrels.
As the motion states, the grey squirrel has reached far north in Perthshire; perhaps the mountains prevent it getting further up the A9. In the east, they have been sighted in Alford in Aberdeenshire. The Grampian squirrel group is taking action to reduce grey squirrel numbers. As Murdo Fraser said, there has been a sighting of a grey squirrel in Inverness. To the south and west, grey squirrels have been seen at the Rest and be thankful in Argyll. That is important, because there could be incursions into the Highlands from Argyll.
The motion calls for research on immunocontraception. I have no problem with that and I hope that such research progresses, but other actions are also needed. We must ensure that there is more habitat that is suitable for reds, which will allow them to survive. That is a big part of what needs to happen.
If there is a case for culling in selected areas to prevent intrusion, that might have regrettably to be undertaken. However, if there is to be targeted culling as a last resort, it needs to be humane. I hope that the minister will consider the practices that currently exist in that regard.
I look forward to the minister's summing up. Murdo Fraser has asked important questions, which I hope the minister can answer.
The minister will know that I do not generally wish his Government well, but I do wish it well on this issue. I would like to think that my granddaughter, who arrived only last weekend, will have the same opportunity to look at red squirrels in Scotland that I had as a child.
I declare an interest—I want to ensure that all members are aware of my childhood membership of the Tufty club. I do not say that entirely frivolously because it shows that, for many of us, the red squirrel is a cultural icon of which we should be proud.
The red squirrel's situation in Scotland is not of our making but—unfortunately—the human race was responsible for transporting grey squirrels across the Atlantic to Scotland. Grey squirrels are far better than the indigenous red squirrel at competing in the available environment.
The previous speaker—Peter Peacock—described one problem. He said that he has no particular dislike of the grey squirrel and that he sees them often. I dislike the grey squirrel. The reason why we see grey squirrels is that they are not afraid of areas that are more heavily populated with human beings. The grey squirrel will live in such an environment, whereas the red squirrel will not choose to live near or among human beings. As the country's population becomes bigger and as our species spreads out, we consequently restrict the opportunity for red squirrels to live in our environment.
The red squirrel has survived well in Scotland when it has become almost extinct in other parts of the United Kingdom because we can provide an acceptable environment for it. However, we must accept that that environment is not perfect for the red squirrel. Often, the surviving red squirrel populations are in commercial pine plantations, when they would rather live in a mixed deciduous and pine environment. However, because such restricted man-made environments support red squirrels and are significantly less attractive to greys—particularly higher up the hills, where the environment and weather can be more severe—Scotland has allowed the reds to survive longer.
It is ironic that, if we talk to half a dozen conservationists about the importance of preserving indigenous species, we will hear at least a dozen opinions. It is extraordinary that species that have been extinct in Scotland for some time are being reintroduced, when we should perhaps exert more of our effort on ensuring that we lose no more species. It is ironic that species are being reintroduced that will predate on red squirrels, if they are given the opportunity.
Some people exploit the red squirrel. It is ironic that, at the public inquiry into the Aberdeen western peripheral route this week, the squirrel became the centre of attention. Opponents of the road used the red squirrel's situation as an opportunity—perhaps as an excuse—to demand that habitats be protected and that the road be moved or perhaps even stopped altogether. The red squirrel is not responsible for that situation, but attempts by human beings to exploit it give it a bad name, at times.
A battle line has been drawn—the grey squirrel continues to encroach and the red squirrel continues to give ground. Where the line is drawn at the moment is perhaps insignificant; where it will be in a few years worries me more. By encouraging proper economic development of Scotland's hills, supporting commercial forestry and perhaps changing the rules to link areas of forest so that populations of squirrels can move through them, we can create not the ideal environment, but an environment that will allow the red squirrel to survive, to continue its rearguard action and to remain a relatively common species in some areas of Scotland for the foreseeable future.
I have seen more red squirrels dead than alive this year. I do not want that to continue.
I, too, congratulate Murdo Fraser on securing the debate.
As we can see, lots of people like red and grey squirrels. As we have heard, the problem is that the two species cannot live together. Grey squirrels, which were introduced to Scotland from America more than a century ago, are causing the endangered red squirrels to disappear slowly. It is our responsibility to prevent that from happening.
Conservation and land management are not easy subjects. Some people are upset by talk of culling, whether we are discussing deer, hedgehogs or squirrels. However, if action is not taken the red squirrel will disappear from our woods altogether, so I support Murdo Fraser's call for action. Although it is unlikely that the minister will announce new funding for research into immunocontraception, I urge him to take action—I encourage him to surprise us with an announcement on funding, too.
My interest in the subject is a result of the existence of a colony of red squirrels in Camperdown park and its surroundings, in the city of Dundee. Dundee boasts that it is the best city in Britain for people who want to see red squirrels; in fact, it is the only city in Britain that is lucky enough to have a population of red squirrels. Red squirrels can be seen in Camperdown park, Templeton Woods, Caird park and other wooded areas in the city.
It is well documented that the most serious threat to red squirrels is the ever-expanding population of grey squirrels, with the attendant risk of squirrel pox, which is fatal to red but not grey squirrels, as members have said. Grey squirrel control has historically been done by landowners, farmers and gamekeepers. Control must continue alongside positive measures to encourage reds.
The Dundee red squirrel project aims to protect and enhance the population of red squirrels in the area. It is highly successful and seeks to protect red squirrels in Dundee from the takeover of their habitats and food supplies by grey squirrels from easter Angus, by encouraging local people to record sightings. With that aim, a tailored public awareness campaign—meet the neighbours—was launched throughout Tayside, to increase awareness of issues to do with conservation of the Scottish red squirrel population. Local schools, nurseries and young people's groups are undertaking red squirrel projects. All libraries in Tayside, including mobile libraries, have information and free postcards, and displays are touring all libraries in the region. The project has a wonderful, user-friendly website at dundeeredsquirrels.co.uk, which I encourage members to look at.
Concerted effort is required on the main sources of incursion by greys, so that we can at least stem their further spread into highland Scotland via the Tay valley and northern Angus. The SNH strategy promotes land use and forestation that supports diverse ages, classes and species of tree. Grey squirrels prefer broad-leaved trees, but restricting the planting of such trees would have an impact on biodiversity in other areas.
We need to control grey squirrels, but we need evidence that establishes the right method of doing so. That requires properly funded research. It has been estimated that a programme of research would cost approximately £3 million over four years. I encourage the minister to discuss with SNH the possibility of taking such positive action to conserve an endangered species.
I, too, congratulate Murdo Fraser on securing this interesting and important debate.
The "Scottish Red Squirrel Action Plan 2006-2011" was produced in 2006 by a working group that comprised SNH, Forestry Commission Scotland and the Scottish Executive. The previous Administration and the current Administration have addressed an important issue.
The grey squirrel is not the only invasive species. Japanese knotweed, mink, and hedgehogs in the Western Isles are all invasive species, but of course humans are the most significant invasive species and our impact on the environment has been greater than that of all other species combined.
We know that there might be 160,000 red squirrels. There might be as many as 50 million to 60 million grey squirrels in the British Isles, so it is unrealistic to consider eradicating the species. It would be unrealistic to attempt eradication even in Scotland, given that grey squirrels could simply move over the border while people's guards were down. A better approach is to dedicate to the red squirrel specific areas, which I hope could be controlled by buffer zones of about 3km. That was suggested in the action plan.
I do not have memories of red squirrels from when I was a boy, because I am a lot younger than most members. However, there are a number of red squirrels in my constituency. On the island of Arran there are no grey squirrels and there is a healthy population of reds.
I hope that if the pressure on red squirrels south of the border continues in future years, a reservoir of red squirrels could perhaps be used to repopulate some of the rural areas. As members have mentioned, some species that were formerly extinct in Scotland have been reintroduced: the osprey in the 1970s and, more recently, the sea eagle and the European elk. There may be an opportunity to do that in the future.
We must preserve not only the red squirrel, but the biodiversity within the species itself. It is not only the grey squirrel that is undermining the red squirrel, but habitat destruction and fragmentation of population, which must be addressed. Priority woodlands, stronghold sites and islands are the best places in which species can thrive, with the caveats that I mentioned in relation to biological diversity.
Immunocontraception is an excellent idea. Many years ago, it was used in Venice as a way to try to control the pigeon population. The fruit fly, drosophila, was controlled in Florida by the same method. There, it was done by releasing vast numbers of sterile drosophila, which is slightly different from the proposal here, but within a year that parasite had been virtually wiped out.
Support is needed from the Scottish Government, and that has to be embedded. We do not want something that might be neglected by a future Administration in five or 10 years' time. We do not want to save the red squirrel for 50 years, only for it to become extinct in 100 years. We have to consider how we deal with the issue, not just in the short and medium term, but in the future.
Many years ago, I made my first visit to the wildlife park at Aviemore, which is a reservoir of species that used to inhabit Scotland, such as the bear, the wolf, and Przewalski's horse, which is now very rare indeed. I hope that we do not have to add the red squirrel to that menagerie in future years.
I did not know that the Scottish National Party name for the grey squirrel is the English squirrel, but you learn something new every day.
I agree with Peter Peacock: I am often delighted by the antics of grey squirrels in city parks, and I know that they amuse lots of children in the botanic gardens and parks all over Edinburgh. It is unfortunate, however, that where grey squirrels exist in large numbers, red ones are hardly ever seen.
I am happy to say that where I live, near the Eredine forest in Argyll, there has been an increase in red squirrels over the past 40 years, until perhaps just recently. There are no grey squirrels in the area, and on my way to Dunoon the other day I saw two red squirrels cross the road on the approach to Dunoon through the Argyll forest park. It is a credit to the Forestry Commission rangers that they have managed to help the red squirrel population through the introduction of squirrel boxes and other measures. The red squirrel is a delightful, harmless, pretty little animal, which makes hearts soar whenever it is seen, and it is certainly worth protecting.
I was horrified to see on the map that the Scottish squirrel survey produced two green blobs near Dunoon, which mean that there are now grey squirrels in the vicinity where I saw the red ones. I hope that they do not spread, particularly because of the threat of squirrel pox, which is carried by the greys and fatal to the reds.
From another angle, I was alarmed recently while watching television—I think it was an edition of that very good programme on the BBC, "Autumnwatch". I witnessed a red squirrel literally screaming with fear as it fled the clutches of a pine marten, which was chasing it with obvious intent to kill.
Not only grey squirrels pose a threat to red squirrels; the pine marten, which is now prevalent all over Argyll and the north-west, in areas where 20 years ago it was hardly ever seen, does too. I cannot prove where it came from, but rumour has it that it was introduced. As many people who work with poultry will tell you, it is a terrible killer on the ground and in the tree canopy.
The sudden multiplication of any predatory species can cause havoc to native species and the biodiversity of an area, and I find it notable that the scientific adviser to SNH said recently that the pine marten should have its protected status removed because of its effect on other species. The first study to assess the impact of pine martens will be published later this year by the RSPB, which set up hidden cameras on 20 different capercaillie nests at Abernethy. It shows pine martens stealing eggs from almost all the nests and suggests that up to 80 per cent of all capercaillie eggs are eaten by pine martens.
I wonder how many red squirrels are killed by pine martens. What I saw on "Autumnwatch" suggests that the number could be substantial. I hope that the minister will take note of what SNH and the RSPB are saying, which echoes what gamekeepers in managed areas have been saying for years. He might wish to read the wonderful book "A Hundred Years in the Highlands" by Osgood Mackenzie, the celebrated centenarian who lived at Inverewe. It contains a chapter on pine martens that it would be good for the minister to read.
Paragraph 1.3 of "The Invasive Non-Native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain", which was compiled by the minister's Government, along with the Welsh Assembly Government and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, states:
"The most important direct drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystem service changes are habitat change … climate change"
and
"invasive alien species".
It is obvious to me that, to a red squirrel in an area of Scotland that did not previously have grey squirrels, the grey squirrel is indeed an invasive alien species that must be controlled.
I, too, congratulate Murdo Fraser on achieving the debate. I also congratulate members on the wealth of knowledge and erudition that has been displayed. All the members who are present—they are a small but select number—recognise the importance of the subject.
Murdo Fraser was right to say that the time has passed when if one raised the issue of squirrels with political colleagues they seemed to find it amusing. The issue is important—those of us who came into politics to change the world and who have ended up talking about squirrel contraception do not in any way feel that we have diminished our contribution. There are important issues to be addressed.
I hope that I will cover many of the issues that members have asked me to respond to. The ultimate prize will be to give Peter Peacock reassurance that, as his granddaughter grows, there will be red squirrels in all parts of Scotland that she can watch and enjoy as he enjoyed watching them when he was a child. It is important to keep in mind that we are talking about the continuation of an important part of our heritage and biodiversity that is genuinely at risk.
As members have said, several cases of squirrel pox in red squirrels have been discovered in the south of Scotland in the past year. I distinguish between the issue of squirrel pox and the more general issue of grey squirrels and their nature as an invasive species. It is an urgent priority that we do something about the squirrel pox in the south of Scotland. It exists only in the south of Scotland, but we must ensure that it travels no further. On 27 August at Drumlanrig, I launched a new stage in the red squirrels in south Scotland project that is particularly focused on that threat. The project brings together resources from the private and public sectors and focuses them where the need is greatest. I say to John Wilson that the need at present is to create a cordon sanitaire in the south of Scotland that prevents squirrel pox from travelling north. If it travels north, it will begin to decimate the red squirrel population in an even greater way than the presence of grey squirrels does.
Work is being done. I am glad to report that the Forestry Commission Scotland will deploy an additional four full-time-equivalent grey squirrel control officers to contribute to the effort. That is in addition to the two grey squirrel control officers and the four red squirrel conservation officers that SNH employs. The private sector is matching that effort. We have a comprehensive effort throughout the south of Scotland, with a clear aim and that is supported by Government, the private sector and non-governmental organisations. It is important that organisations such as the Scottish Wildlife Trust are involved.
We have the prospect of stopping the spread of squirrel pox. That is our aim and what we will try to do. If we achieve that, we must then consider what we need to do more broadly in Scotland. We are already taking action. As members probably know, in April, a grey squirrel was reported at Farr in the Highlands, on the outskirts of Inverness. A second grey squirrel was also found in the vicinity. Both of them, I think, are no longer there. [Laughter.] I am using a euphemism.
We are currently preparing a strategy under which we will look at the distribution of grey squirrels and match our effort to that distribution. As Mr Wilson mentioned, the Fife and central Scotland area is one of our priorities.
We have, however, to do more. The issue is not simply how to remove grey squirrels but how to strengthen the presence of red squirrels. At present, the Forestry Commission Scotland and SNH are working to identify red squirrel woodland stronghold areas across Scotland. If the greys spread further through the country, those woodland areas will offer the best opportunity for long-term retention of the reds.
I am pleased that the chamber is unanimous on the need for a mix of actions, both positive and—regrettably—those that will remove grey squirrels, including by way of their humane despatch. As long as we agree on the range of activities, we can make progress. One activity is the development of habitats to encourage red squirrels. Our aim is to identify 20 sites that can be managed as active refuges for red squirrels. We hope to complete the process of identification by the end of the year and publish the list for consultation in early 2009.
Will the minister consider the management of red squirrels as part of the Scottish rural development programme under the Government's agricultural schemes?
I was about to come on to that.
Funding for the process that I have outlined will range across a number of bodies. As I said, the Forestry Commission Scotland and SNH are involved and there are, of course, resources in the SRDP to deal with invasive non-native species. The work that we can do to remove grey squirrels and increase better habitats for red squirrels can therefore be funded under that programme. I am sure that many of Mr McGrigor's constituents will wish to respond to that confirmation.
The non-native species strategy is an important part of our work in this area, as is the Forestry Commission Scotland's biodiversity programme and our wider work on biodiversity. In that wider strategic work, we have to focus on squirrels as we do on other species.
I am pleased to be able to tell Marlyn Glen that Scottish Natural Heritage is providing partnership funding of £18,000 a year to support research into immunocontraception. Investigations into the development of an oral option for the existing injectable fertility control vaccines that are used in the United States of America are under way. That may require us to spread it on peanuts in pubs in London, as Mr Peacock indicated. We need to find a way to ensure that it works, but let us hope that we do not have to go that far.
As long as there is good labelling.
Indeed.
On 1 October this year, the Moredun Research Institute will begin work on developing a different vaccine. The institute is trying to devise a means of distinguishing between the reds and the greys in providing a vaccine against squirrel pox for red squirrels. The work is being undertaken under a three-year Scottish Government funding programme. I am pleased to say that funding is also being provided by the Wildlife Ark Trust, which has raised £300,000 for that purpose. We are looking into immunocontraception and for a way of vaccinating red squirrels against squirrel pox.
As I said at the outset, the issue is important. Work to stop the spread of squirrel pox and to encourage areas where red squirrels can flourish and grey squirrels can be removed is under way. A variety of actions will be required if we are to succeed. I am grateful to each and every member in the chamber who was interested enough to attend or speak in the debate. I hope, too, that they will be interested enough to encourage action in their areas. In that way, we will ultimately succeed in our aims.
Meeting closed at 17:43.