Natural England

19 February 2008

Natural England welcomes Defra’s policy and action plan on wild boar in England launched today (Tuesday 19 February).

The strategy clarifies the position regarding escaped wild boar living in the wild and allows appropriate management to take place.

As outlined in Defra’s strategy, Natural England will:

• Continue to support Defra and the Deer Initiative in providing advice and guidance on wild boar and their management

• Continue to monitor current wild boar populations, any incidents of new releases or further spread, and any reported impacts of wild boar

• Advise the Government on any threats that wild boar pose to native biodiversity

• Work with local landowners to resolve problems if wild boar living on Natural England reserves cause damage on neighbouring land. If wild boar are found to be damaging nature conservation interests on Natural England reserves we will consider removing them.

Details of Defra’s policy and action plan for wild boar in England can be found on the Defra website together with copies of the 2005 ‘Feral wild boar in England’ consultation results, and two risk assessments commissioned by Defra: 'Livestock Disease'; and 'Risk to Biodiversity, Agricultural Damage, and Human Health and Safety'.

Natural England

Natural England recognises wild boar as a former native species which could contribute to the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment. However, we also recognise that they have the potential to spread some livestock diseases and can cause damage to agriculture and other interests. We therefore encourage their positive management and favour a regional approach, where they are removed in areas where their impact would be unacceptable, but are managed sustainably elsewhere. Natural England will continue to monitor the development of these populations and, where appropriate, their impact on other wildlife and habitats.

The Deer Initiative

The Deer Initiative is a partnership organisation involving statutory, voluntary and private interests. It is part government funded and is Defra’s preferred source for delivering advice on deer management. Because of the overlap in expertise and approach involved in deer and wild boar management, the Deer Initiative is identified in Defra’s wild boar action plan as a partner in providing advice on wild boar.