WS3: Squirrel control and management
Find out about eligibility and requirements for the Squirrel control and management item.
How much will be paid
£60 per hectare (ha)
Where to use this supplement
It’s available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier on whole or part parcels.
If you include this as part of your Higher Tier application, the Forestry Commission will assess your application for this option before you are offered an agreement.
How this supplement will benefit the environment
Effective use of this supplement will:
- limit tree damage and support red squirrel populations (where present)
- increase control of invasive species
- support conservation of composition of native woodland
Aims
To manage the population of invasive grey squirrels and help increase the population of native red squirrels.
Requirements
- Work with your deer officer/woodland officer to produce a Squirrel Control Plan (SCP) outlining the activities you will carry out. To secure the annual funding for this supplement you must email your SCP to your local deer officer/woodland officer by the end of year 1. Your SCP will build on the draft plan that you submit with your Initial Application documents
- Take part in Grey Squirrel control training – your local deer officer/woodland officer will discuss these courses with you
- Erect an agreed number of traps within your woodland as shown in your SCP
- Carry out agreed levels of culling activity as agreed with your deer officer/woodland officer in your SCP. Using the annual cull and effort record provide evidence of culling activity and cull returns and photographic evidence of squirrels killed to the deer officer/woodland officer annually, following the guidance provided in Forestry Commission operations note 60
- Provide an impact/activity survey to show annual impact, using the activity and Impact Methodology document for guidance, and submit to the Forestry Commission at the end of Years 1, 3 and 5
Keeping records
Application stage:
- supply a draft SCP with your Initial Application Documents
You must keep the following records and supply them on request:
- bank statements, receipted invoices, consents, or permissions connected with the work
- records of all management activity on the option area for each parcel, including an operational site assessment, or similar, to show UKFS compliant operational activities
- a Forestry Commission approved management plan that justifies the need for this option
- a SCP by the end of year 1 of your agreement
- monitoring reports for year 3 and 5 of the agreement to confirm progress (for example providing before and after photographs, a record of the number of squirrels culled, and the results of squirrel monitoring)
- evidence of activities undertaken through monitoring, photography and marking
Additional guidance and advice
In addition to P2016, under WD2 (baseline option), you must have a Squirrel Control Plan (SCP) approved in collaboration and agreement with your local Deer Officer/Woodland Officer.
We expect all actions agreed in your initial squirrel control plan to start in year 1. Cull and cull records should start from January of year 1, squirrel habitat impact assessment and squirrel monitoring reports should be in place by the end of year 1.
Read more information about Controlling grey squirrels in forests and woodlands in the UK.
Further information
Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants including how to apply.
Last updated 4 January 2024 + show all updates
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Update to How Much Is Paid
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The 'Additional guidance and advice' section has been updated.
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Changed requirement for Squirrel Management Plan (SMP) - must now be sent with Initial Application documents.
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Update to 'Where to use this supplement' section - If you include this as part of your Higher Tier application, the Forestry Commission will assess your application for this option before you are offered an agreement.
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First published.