MP calls for squirrel cull

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Conservative MP David MacLean has called for a mass cull of grey squirrels in order to save the red squirrel population.

The Penrith and the Border MP said on Sunday that not enough is being done to protect the endangered species.

There are now thought to be only 140,000 red squirrels left in the UK, compared to 2.5 million greys, with the prevalence of the latter leading to a decline in the former due to their greater ability to compete for food.

And MacLean said a "small investment" in a culling programme could see a long-term revival of the red population.

He called on ministers to roll out a pilot project being run in Northumberland by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Redesdale.

There a government grant of under £150,000 has funded a cull of 17,000 greys which has allowed red numbers to grow.

However animal welfare campaigners claim culling may not be the best solution, with red squirrels also under threat from human hunters.

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