Rabbit numbers are increasing by approximately 2% per year. This is mainly the result of the lessening effect of myxomatosis which, in the 1950s, accounted for 99% of rabbit deaths but now only kills about 20% of the population annually. Rabbit numbers are found at premyxomatosis levels in some woodlands but are generally still only at about 30% of pre-myxomatosis levels. Accordingly, the potential for damage to young trees is now very high in some areas and increasing in others.The rabbit problem in woodlands is exacerbated by a number of management factors:

•many areas of new woodland are on ex-agricultural sites where a large rabbit population is already established;

•the presence of brash, and often windthrown stumps, on felled areas provides cover for rabbits and makes control difficult;

•the high cost of rabbit fencing inhibits its use around areas of planting;

•there is a lack of manpower available at the time of year when control is most needed;

•because myxomatosis eliminated the need for rabbit control for many years, the necessary skills and expertise have been lost.

The complete eradication of rabbits in woodland is impractical. The aim should be to protect tree crops through planned management taking the following into account:

•  use of barriers

•  the need for more fencing between forest edge and fields

•  sufficient time to enable rabbit clearance of fenced areas before  planting

•  a reduction of rabbit harbourage - slash, windthrown pockets and clumps of thick cover

•  regular communication between rangers and their

Rabbit populations are very resilient and can withstand high mortality. It must be considered therefore that there are likely to be some woodland areas where the rabbit problem is so great that current techniques may not be capable of reducing damage to an acceptable level unless virtually unlimited time and manpower are expended.