From Rob Atkinson

SIR. Plans by the Government to cull grey squirrels are short-sighted because there is so much more to saving red squirrels than culling greys.

The RSPCA is concerned about the welfare of both red and grey squirrels, and believes measures to protect rare species should be both realistic and humane to all affected animals.

Conservation bodies argue that if no action is taken we could lose the reds as a species.

But the factors that affect conservation status also have welfare consequences.

Reds can suffer and die from parapox virus spread by the greys, which themselves remain unaffected.

They can also suffer and die because the habitat they need to survive is being lost to greys.

But some measures proposed to control populations of grey squirrels would cause the greys to suffer.

The RSPCA firmly believes that work on science-based alternative measures to reduce the negative welfare impact on both reds and greys should have the highest priority.

These could include maintaining habitats that are more desirable to reds than greys, and possibly immuno-contraception trials to reduce the breeding success of grey squirrels.

Eradicating long-established entire populations of greys, as well as being ethically questionable, would be very difficult and cause unnecessary suffering.

Rob Atkinson, Head of Wildlife, RSPCA, Horsham, West Sussex