Responses to the Scottish Natural Heritage consultation document: Making a difference for Scotland’s Species: A framework for Action should be received by the end of June.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) has already welcomed the document as a major step forward in addressing specific and critical threats to native wildlife.

SWT’s chief executive, Simon Milne, said: “We know that there are many species, such as the red squirrel, that desperately need immediate and direct action to prevent their terminal decline.

“Part of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, the first part of the consultation paper proposes a list of species where focused effort and resources over the next three to five years could make the most difference to biodiversity.

“Included in this list are; red squirrel, European beaver, the great yellow bumblebee, the small cow wheat, water vole and Scottish wildcat.

“The framework recognises that while conservation of habitats and functioning ecosystems is normally the right approach, there are occasions where direct intervention is necessary.”

More controversial and costly is the intention to increase action against invasive non-native species such as rhododendron, American mink, giant hogweed, North American signal crayfish, hedgehogs (on the islands) and grey squirrels, all of which threaten biodiversity and need bold national measures to control their spread.

“Invasive non-native species are one of the greatest threats to Scotland’s native wildlife,” said Milne.

“They can have a dramatic effect on the natural species balance. This is where direct and co-ordinated intervention can be most effective.”