Landowners could be given the power to kill foreign wildlife that cost the British economy £1.7 billion a year.
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, which are not indigenous to the UK, could be wiped out.
Landowners argue it is necessary to update legislation to take account of the growing number of “invasive” plants and animals entering the country because of climate change, increased travel and the spread of animal diseases. However, animal rights protesters said it was simply an attempt to wipe out certain animals for the sake of the forestry, shooting and farming industries…