What is the FC doing to safeguard the remaining populations of red squirrels in England that are threatened by grey squirrel expansion?
A11.The FC is Joint Lead Partner (with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)) responsible for delivery of the Red Squirrel Species Action Plan (SAP). The ESF acts as the Red Squirrel SAP Steering Group in England. FC England has led the wider partnership on red squirrels in determining and agreeing red squirrel priority areas that offer a practical prospect of retaining viable red squirrel populations in England in the long-term. The Isle of Wight and Poole Harbour Islands populations are secure provided grey squirrel incursions are dealt with immediately they occur. We have supported Action Plans here, including contingency plans for dealing rapidly with grey incursions. In northern England we have initiated and funded, with support from English Nature, the identification of 16 Priority Red Squirrel Reserve forests, and developed management principles and agreement for these and the surrounding buffer countryside with the support of a wide range of local and regional partners
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