Outrage over squirrel meat on sale in Crouch End (From Haringey Independent)

Outrage over squirrel meat on sale in Crouch End

2:12pm Friday 30th July 2010

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OUTRAGE has been sparked over the sale of squirrel meat at one of Crouch End's most popular supermarkets.

Shop owner Andrew Thornton of Budgens, in Crouch End Broadway, told the Guardian newspaper that he sold more than a dozen of the grey squirrels each week.

Animal welfare group, Vegetarians International Voice for Animals (Viva) accused the store of committing "wildlife massacre".

Juliet Gellatley, Viva founder and director said: "Culls of thousands of grey squirrels by so-called 'conservation groups' to boost populations of red squirrels are irrational, inhumane and destined to fail, so it is very sad that Budgens are allowing profit to be made from wildlife massacre."

She added: "If this store is attempting to stand out from the crowd by selling squirrel, the only message they are giving out is that they are happy to have the blood of a beautiful wild animal on their hands for the sake of a few quid."

The independent retailer said it had been selling the meat for four months at £3 of £4 a time for "sustainability reasons".

They are bought from an unnamed supplier in north Essex.

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