People affected by, or interested in, wild boar are being encouraged to have their say about how the animals should be managed in England, Biodiversity Minister Jim Knight announced today.

Mr Knight said that a review of the way wild boar were managed and monitored was necessary due to the recent establishment of small but significant populations that are expected to grow.

"For the first time since becoming extinct in Britain 300 years ago, wild boar have established several small populations in England, which has implications for farming, woodlands and parklands, wildlife, and the wider countryside and rural economy," he said.

Mr Knight said people were being asked to give their views on a range of issues surrounding feral wild boar, including disease risk, potential for damage to crops and property, effects on animal exports, animal welfare, conservation and biodiversity, game and shooting interests, and human safety.

"From Defra's own research and monitoring, we know that poor wild boar management poses potential problems for agriculture, animal health and welfare, and for other wildlife."

"It is important that we hear a broad range of views on all the issues involved to inform future decisions on how we should manage wild boar in England."

There are thought to be fewer than 500 feral wild boar in England, with the main population in Kent and Sussex and smaller breeding populations in Dorset and Herefordshire.

Defra Wild boar consultation analysis of responses published