European foresters inspect UK squirrel damage
Foresters and conservationists from Italy, France and Switzerland have just completed a visit to the UK to examine damage to trees and woodlands caused by the grey squirrel.
The visit, which took place in Kent, looked at trees which had been planted following the great storm of 1987 and which are now particularly vulnerable to grey squirrel damage.
Organised by the European Squirrel Initiative, the visit was designed to demonstrate to foresters, from those countries which are particularly vulnerable, to the threat of the American Grey Squirrel.
Grey squirrels are already present in Italy but are rapidly approaching France and Switzerland and are expected to be in those countries within the next few years.
“This was a wakeup call to foresters and conservationists on the continent to help make them aware of the threat posed by grey squirrels,” George Farr, Chairman of ESI.
Part of the tour included a visit to a Kentish Cobnut plantation where the damage that grey squirrels do to the annual harvest was highlighted. This was particularly relevant to those visitors from Italy where there is a large nut growing industry.
“We were alarmed by what we saw and we must ensure that the lessons we learned are taken back to the nut growers in Northern Italy,” said Filippo Gautier leader of the Italian delegation. The visit was centred on Hole Park, the estate of CLA Forestry Committee Chairman, Edward Barham. During the visit various methods of grey squirrel control carried out by Mr Barham were demonstrated.
“This was an important visit in that it helped our European Colleagues to gain a greater understanding of the threat posed by the grey squirrel and the consequences of allowing the grey squirrel to spread from Italy into the rest of Europe,” said Mr Farr.
