Guidance

Management requirements for woodland supplement 3 (squirrel control): operations note 60

This operations note is to be used to determine the appropriate works within woodland supplement 3: squirrel control and management.

Applies to England

Documents

WS3.3 Squirrel cull and effort record

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WS3.5 NFC squirrel activity and impact recording sheet

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WS3.6 NFC activity and impact assessment methodology

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WS3.7 Survey summary report template

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Details

This operations note only applies to those with an existing Countryside Stewardship woodland supplement 3 (WS3) agreement.

This does not apply to the new grey squirrel control and management (CWS3) option.

Find out more about applying to Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier.

This guide includes information on:

  • what you need to do
  • how to submit and review documents
  • further advice and contact information

The template ‘WS3.1’ (grey squirrel control plan) was removed. If you need a copy of this legacy document, contact the Forestry Commission.

Updates to this page

Published 8 February 2022
Last updated 12 September 2025 show all updates
  1. Removed out of date 'WS3.1 Grey squirrel control plan'.

  2. Added a note to the page confirming that this guidance is only relevant for agreements starting before February 2024.

  3. Edited to reflect changes to CS higher tier requirements: some reports are only compulsory for year 1, but may be requested in year 3 and 5.

  4. Added new versions of WS3.2, WS3.4 and WS3.8: compulsory submission is now for year 1 and 5. However year 3 may be required on request.

  5. Updated the guide to confirm that the records should now be submitted to the RPA, not the Forestry Commission.

  6. Added new version of the Squirrel cull and effort record.

  7. Updated email addresses for species management.

  8. Updated email addresses for species management.

  9. Updated email addresses for species management teams.

  10. Added updated versions of NFC Squirrel Activity and Impact Recording Sheet and NFC Activity and Impact Assessment Methodology.

  11. Guidance and supporting documentation updated.

  12. Updates to WS3.2 Grey Squirrel Control Plan Guidance and WS3.3 Squirrel Cull and Effort Record

  13. First published.

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