10. Short Debate: Iconic Welsh wildlife: The plight of Wales’s red squirrels

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:21 pm on 2 December 2020.

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Photo of Rhun ap Iorwerth Rhun ap Iorwerth Plaid Cymru 6:21, 2 December 2020

(Translated)

I'd like to thank Darren Millar for adopting the red squirrel as a topic for his short debate. As we've heard, it's an animal that is very much associated with Anglesey. It's an icon on Anglesey, and if I'm honest, I am very sensitive to the fact that it wasn't a Member for Anglesey that was chosen as the red squirrel champion. But, as it happens, we have a number of iconic species on Anglesey, so, I'm very proud to be the champion for the chough. So, you look after the squirrel, Darren.

But some very important points have been made here. The red squirrel wasn't saved by accident. It was saved through very hard work. I'm very grateful to Craig Shuttleworth and his team of conservationists. I am grateful to Menter Môn, but we do need to ensure that everything is done to safeguard the future of the red squirrel, in legislation where that is possible, and by securing funding for ongoing work in years to come. But thank you for the opportunity to say a few words, and I look forward to hearing assurances of that support from the Minister.