FAQ: Are there any laws for grey squirrels?
The following legislation applies to grey squirrels:
The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) makes it illegal to release, or allow to escape to the wild, any captive grey squirrel.
The Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 makes it illegal to subject grey squirrels to wilful acts of cruelty or abuse.
The grey squirrels (Prohibition of Importation and Keeping) Order 1937 makes it an offence to keep a grey squirrel in captivity except under licence
The Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 provides for duty of care for animals in captivity (live-trapped animals). This makes it an offence to inflict, or allow others to inflict, cruelty or abuse on a grey squirrel held captive.
The Grey Squirrels (Warfarin) Order 1973 allows the use of warfarin on grey squirrels for the purpose of tree protection (but not in most of Scotland).
The Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 provides guidance on the specific deployment of the anticoagulant warfarin for grey squirrel control.
The Spring Traps Approval (Scotland) Order 1996 governs the type of spring traps which may be legally used for the capture of grey squirrels
This is not intended as a definitive guide to the legislation and you should refer to the original legislation if you need more details.
