What consideration has the Welsh Government given to including special provisions in the ‘Grey Squirrel Management Action Plan’ to ensure that Anglesey remains grey squirrel free?
Consideration was given to including special provisions in the ‘Grey Squirrel Management Action Plan’ to ensure that Anglesey remains grey squirrel free during the analysis of responses to the consultation on the draft document which closed in early 2018, when this issue was raised. Grey squirrel are well established and widely spread in Wales, and are covered by Article 19 of the EU Regulation No. 1143/2014 on the Prevention and Management of the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Alien Species. This regulation requires Member States to put in place effective and proportionate management actions aimed at the eradication, control or containment of listed species. We consider that the Grey Squirrel Management Action Plan which includes targeting efforts in red squirrel focal areas and buffer zones will help to deliver this requirement in Wales.