The Next Invasion?

Non-native species, such as Japanese knotweed and the Asian hornet, cost the UK economy around £1.8bn per year. The next big problem might well be, a member of the fox family, the Raccoon dog (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/09/raccoon-dogs-britain-non-native-pest-invasive-species). Raccoon dogs are native to China, Japan and Siberia. They were historically farmed for their fur, in Russia and the Baltic states. Raccoon dogs are, however, expert escapologists and have spread widely across continental Europe. They are now well-establised in Denmark, Finland and Sweden. Raccoon dogs have also been sighted in France, Germany the Netherlands and Poland. These animals are kept as exotic pets in the UK. Since 2019, however, it has been illegal to buy or sell one. In spite of that limitation, a wild Raccoon dog was recently captured and killed in Wales. There have also been sightings of these beasts in Lincolnshire (Eastern England). Raccoon dogs could become one of the most destructive, invasive species to establish itself in the UK. They are a threat to many native species of vertebrate, on which they feed. Raccoon dogs also transmit a range of diseases to humans and other mammals. We really need firmer control of gardeners and pet keepers!