Prince Charles Duchy Originals Face Boycott Over Grey Squirrel Cull
Written by Vegetarian Star on June 23rd, 2010 in Animal Issues.
The Prince of Wales‘ line of Duchy Originals are being boycotted by activists because Charles is calling for a cull of grey squirrels in order to reintroduce red squirrels to the Cornwall area. Both Viva! and Animal Aid are asking people not to buy biscuits and other goods from Duchy’s.
The move, which activists call “arrogant meddling with nature,” is supported by the Red Squirrel Survival Trust because grey squirrels damage native trees in the area and can transmit small pox to red squirrels.
A representative from Animal Aid said, “To mass-kill a healthy species and then reintroduce one that may struggle to survive in that area, is utterly absurd and a shocking waste of valuable conservation money. The suffering that this cull will cause – to both reds and greys – is without justification, and is driven by the Prince’s whimsical preference for red squirrels. We must speak out against such arrogant meddling with nature. Prince Charles may be King someday, but he is not God.”
A Viva! rep said another way to introduce red squirrels is by developing a vaccination to the pox first.
Charles Williams from the Red Squirrel Survival Trust called the grey squirrel a “tree rat,” stating it was listed on the government’s list of vernim and he doesn’t think Prince Charles will be “bothered by a few people boycotting Duchy Originals.”
The story at The Telegraph doesn’t have an actual quote from Prince Charles on the matter.
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