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<p>This is a devolved matter. The information below only relates to England.</p><p>
</p><p>The Government is committed to protecting and expanding red squirrel populations
and tackling the threats that grey squirrels pose to them. The Forestry Commission
and Natural England are members of Red Squirrels Northern England, a red squirrel
conservation partnership project managed by Northumberland Wildlife Trust, which works
in seven northern counties, including Northumberland. The Forestry Commission has
also partnered with the Mammals Trust UK and Newcastle University on the Northumberland
Kielder Forest Project, which considers the role that forest management can have in
conservation of the species.</p><p> </p><p>The Forestry Commission undertakes actions
to protect red squirrels from the impact of grey squirrels more widely as outlined
in the Grey Squirrel Action Plan for England. This includes providing woodland management
advice on maintaining red squirrel habitat and managing grey squirrels, including
advising land-owners that receive funding through the Countryside Stewardship scheme
who choose to control grey squirrels.</p><p> </p><p>Defra, Natural England and the
Forestry Commission are signatories to the United Kingdom Squirrel Accord, working
with over 30 other signatories, including Red Squirrels Northern England, to secure
and expand red squirrel populations. Defra, in partnership with the Accord, has provided
funding for work by the Animal and Plant Health Agency for the development of a fertility
control method for grey squirrels. This research continues to show promise as one
potentially effective and humane method to control grey squirrel numbers in the longer
term.</p>
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