Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 3 January (HL3645 and HL3646), what are their considerations on the impact of deer and grey squirrels on woodlands; whether they have consulted any stakeholders; and if so, who.

Defra is responsible for woodlands in England, and we are considering how to go further to reduce the impacts of grey squirrels and deer on our woodlands. We recognise the pressure on new and existing woodlands from the increasing damage caused by over-foraging of young trees and woodland flora by wild deer and from squirrels stripping bark from trees. In England this damage is primarily from grey squirrels due to their prevalence. As part of routine policy development, the department regularly engages with a variety of stakeholders, including the UK Squirrel Accord and the Deer Initiative Partnership.