Ciria goes to war on squirrels

The Construction Industry Research and Information Association (Ciria) has launched a manual on non-native species, including squirrels, mink and rhododenron, and how to deal with them.

A special seminar is to take place in Scotland to coincide with the launch of the manual, according to the BBC.

The seminar will look at the damage being caused to local biodiversity and the built environment.

Representatives from sectors including quarrying, transport and utility management are expected to attend.

Chris Chiverrell of Ciria said: "Infrastructure owners and operators and the construction industry can all play a part in managing the current problems caused by invasive species and their progressive spread.

"The cumulative damage, cost to the economy, current prevention and control measures of invasives needs to be better understood and appreciated by a wider audience than currently engaged, hence the importance of this event which is targeting an otherwise difficult-to-get-to audience."

Robin Payne of Scottish Natural Heritage said: "Scotland's biodiversity is continually under threat from invasive non-native species, such as American mink, grey squirrel and rhododendron.

"Very often the impacts of these affect commercial businesses who then have to take costly action to deal with them."