People have one more week to have their say on the future of wild boar in England.

Public submissions to the review of the way wild boar are managed will close on Friday, 6 January, Biodiversity Minister Jim Knight said today.

Mr Knight said that, for the first time since they became extinct in Britain more than three centuries ago, wild boar had established several small populations in England.

“These new breeding populations are small – only about 500 animals in total – but they are significant, and we expect them to grow. This may have implications for farming, woodlands and parklands, wildlife, and the wider countryside and rural economy,” he said.

“We have an open mind about whether we should allow this feral population of wild boar to establish itself, or whether we need to take action because of their potential impact on the countryside and on other animals.

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 our own research and monitoring, we know that poor wild boar management poses potential problems for agriculture, animal health and welfare, and for other wildlife,” he said.

“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.”

The main population of wild boar in England is in Kent and Sussex, while smaller breeding populations have been established in Dorset and Herefordshire.

Notes:

1. Wild boar are a former native species which became extinct in England over 300 years ago. Several small populations have become established in England following escapes from captivity.

2. Wild boar can affect a large number of sectors by causing direct agricultural damage to a range of crops, conservation sites, sports fields and gardens as well as posing a risk of transmitting diseases to livestock. Particularly of concern are Classical Swine Fever, Foot and Mouth disease and bovine Tuberculosis.

3. Wild boar can also affect on human safety, mainly by causing road traffic collisions or even attacks.

4. Their impact on conservation habitats is likely to be mixed, probably beneficial in woodland but negative on species like ground-nesting birds, and will depend on numbers.

5. Defra have been monitoring the feral populations and conducting associated research since 1996.

6. The consultation documents can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/wild-boar/index.htm, or by phoning 01904 462062.

7. The consultation will run until 6 January, 2006.

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