Support vaccine development to save red squirrels from Squirrelpox virus
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12,824 signatures
- More than 250 signatures: considered by the Petitions CommitteeReached
- More than 10,000 signatures: considered for a debate in the SeneddReached
Squirrelpox virus is deadly to red squirrels. In autumn 2023, the Senedd debated vaccine development https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/245357
Despite historical Ministerial commitment to investigate the feasibility of protecting red squirrels, after 2.5 years the Department of Rural Affairs had not decided how to deliver a promised pox vaccine feasibility project.
It's time to move forward and support new pioneering vaccine research.
More details
When elephants faced a deadly incurable virus, five years later scientists had created a vaccine https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjd1j02y88do
The same ethos is required to protect red squirrels.
Recently, Anglesey County Council councillors unanimously voted to urge the previous Welsh Government to act to save red squirrels from the pox threat: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/urgent-vaccine-needed-protect-angleseys-33501538
The political urgency comes from the reinvasion of the island by grey squirrels and the inevitability of pox outbreaks decimating red squirrels. https://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/25789901.anglesey-conservationists-fear-future-red-squirrels/
The new Welsh Government should act as a catalyst for successful red squirrel conservation. They should be pragmatic and support new innovative vaccine research. https://research.bangor.ac.uk/en/publications/a-protective-vaccine-against-the-pox-virus-for-red-squirrels/
Signatures by constituency
The Senedd's petitions website lists 3,419 of the 12,824 signatures under a Senedd constituency.
| Constituency | Signatures |
|---|---|
| Bangor Conwy Môn | 1,669 |
| Gwynedd Maldwyn | 418 |
| Clwyd | 379 |
| Fflint Wrecsam | 165 |
| Ceredigion Penfro | 139 |
| Sir Gaerfyrddin | 119 |
| Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd |