The Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has asked independent body the Law Commission to update wildlife law.
The proposals, currently out for consultation, include plans to introduce new powers so that species such as grey squirrels, considered ‘vermin’, could be wiped out in some areas.
Landowners argued it was necessary to update legislation to take account of the growing number of ‘invasive’ plants and animals entering the country because of climate change and increased travel. Also the spread of animals diseases…