Countryside Alliance step in to defend 'This Morning' after show airs squirrel cooking demonstration

The Countryside Alliance has publicly stepped in to defend ITV's 'This Morning' after the show aired a cooking demonstration involving the meat of a culled grey squirrel.

According to various media outlets, viewers were left 'disgusted' and 'appalled' by the cooking segment, which saw celebrity chef Phil Vickery serve a squirrel risotto to co-hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby- who declined the offer.

The meal was presented as part of an important on-air discussion about the Exmoor Squirrel Project's calls for culled squirrel meat to be served in restaurants. Grey squirrels have driven the native red squirrel population in Exmoor to near extinction.

The project's organisers have had talks with a number of local restaurants about serving grey squirrels up in dishes, and have urged landowners and homeowners to monitor the animals and set traps in their gardens to catch them.

However, some on social media took offence to the use of squirrel meat being used on the programme, with one even describing it as 'evil'.

Following the criticism, the Countryside Alliance responded to several articles, arguing 'This Morning' should be praised for their coverage.

In a statement, Alliance Shooting Campaign Manager James Aris, said: "The vast bulk of the British public enjoy eating meat and we should all be thinking about ways we can eat it more sustainably.

"Grey squirrels threaten the very existence of our native red squirrel population, and their numbers need to be controlled.

"Using the meat of culled grey squirrels is a fantastic way to cut down on food waste, while benefiting from a lean, low carbon meal.

"This Morning should be applauded for their demonstration and for raising this important issue."

The programme typically attracts one million viewers daily. Our reaction has been covered by the Mail Online, Evening Standard and Derby Telegraph.

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