Hansard

I thank Audrey Nicoll for lodging this important motion for debate. I will address two invasive species—grey squirrels and giant hogweed—that can be found in Aberdeenshire West and that significantly impact our community.

I am proud to be the species champion for red squirrels, the UK’s only native squirrel species. The introduction and subsequent rapid spread of grey squirrels—or the American tree rat, as it is more correctly known—since the late 19th century has had a devastating effect on red squirrel populations. Although there are more than 2.7 million grey squirrels in the UK, fewer than 287,000 red squirrels remain, and 75 per cent of those are in Scotland. It is very much our responsibility to protect that declining population, whose presence in our woodlands makes a major contribution to Scotland’s nature-based tourism economy.

Grey squirrels are larger, they eat more and they are essentially starving red squirrels out of their habitats. They also carry the squirrel pox virus. Although the greys are asymptomatic to that disease, it is devastating for red squirrels. Outbreaks can wipe out local red squirrel populations, as the disease is usually fatal within two weeks. The competition between red and grey squirrels is a man-made problem, so it is our responsibility to manage it by any means—even, as I did once, daring to cook and serve grey squirrels, Peking duck style, in an effort to encourage a culinary market. Sadly, it did not take off.

The most effective strategy—halting grey squirrels in targeted areas—is practised by groups such as Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels. That group’s project, which has been running for 15 years, demonstrates that centrally co-ordinated, professional control and monitoring of grey squirrels are both effective and necessary.

However, it is no longer sustainable for that vital work to be delivered on short-term funding cycles, with a charity responsible for delivery. Can the minister explain how the Government plans to ensure that strategic grey squirrel control continues into the future? Will the new strategy, which is being worked on by the Scottish squirrel group and shared by NatureScot, contain a detailed delivery plan for how such control will be delivered over its 10-year lifespan?

I turn to the other significant invasive species, giant hogweed. That plant originated in central Asia and escaped ornamental gardens in the UK in the 19th century. Now widespread across the UK, giant hogweed can reach heights of up to 5m, often overshadowing native plants and disrupting biodiversity. It is also a public health hazard, as its sap can cause severe skin blistering, with symptoms that can reoccur for years.

It is crucial to eradicate giant hogweed in the UK. Large infestations generally require multiple treatments of herbicide, along with the removal of flower heads to prevent seeding. For smaller outbreaks, manual removal in spring can be effective. In my constituency, along the River Don, a multiyear programme has successfully controlled giant hogweed through annual treatment, starting at the top of the river. Across Scotland, the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative manages 753km of river to control giant hogweed.

However, eradicating it remains challenging due to the plant’s resilience and to budget constraints, so continued effort and resources are essential. Failing to spend money on its removal now will only lead to greater costs in the future. Worryingly, NatureScot has made no species control agreements in the north-east to deal with giant hogweed. It is essential that we address that and other invasive species in order to protect and restore Scotland’s natural heritage.