AN EAST Huntspill wildlife charity has joined forces with a number of animal rescue organisations to oppose a ban on the release of non-indigenous species.

Secret World Wildlife Rescue is opposing the Invasive Alien Species Order, which is set to come into force in England on March 28, and will prevent animal welfare organisations from keeping and releasing non-indigenous animal species in the UK such as grey squirrels or muntjac deer.

The law will mean charities like Secret World will have to euthanise all non-indigenous animals they admit, even if the animal is expected to make a full recovery after treatment.

The new regulation will reverse the current licensing laws enforced by Natural England.

The licences, which all animal rescue centres must hold, allow for non-indigenous species to be kept and released in areas of England where they pose no threat to native animals.

Pauline Kidner, founder of Secret World, said: “We have been rescuing and rehabilitating poorly wildlife for over 25 years and have always maintained an ethos of helping any animal that needs it, providing we can give them a strong chance of survival.

“The current licensing system works perfectly well and ensures all animal rescue organisations and vets work within a regulated remit.

"What we can do now is tightly controlled – as it should be. There is absolutely no need to reverse this.

“We oppose this ban for several reasons, but mainly because the consequences could be devastating for many animals.

"I fear that with this ban, more people will take it upon themselves to care for injured animals such as grey squirrels, rather than sending them to us because they know they will be put down.

“This will seriously restrict very poorly animals from receiving the professional help they need.”

Simon Cowell, chief executive of The Wildlife Aid Foundation and Dave Risley, director of The Folly Wildlife Rescue Trust are among the famous names opposing the ban and a petition started by wildlife rescue charity, Urban Squirrels, opposing the regulation has more than 30,000 signatures.

For more information about the campaign or if you would like to sign the petition visit https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/235425