MORE than 2,000 people have signed a petition demanding a "significant reduction" in the number of wild boar in the Forest.

The petition, with 2,024 signatures, was submitted to the Forest of Dean District Council by a group called Hogwatch.

In a full council meeting last Thursday the district council's chairman, Cllr Norman Stephens (Ind, Newnham and Westbury) said: "The council has received a petition from Hogwatch with 2,024 signatures urging the Forestry Commission to significantly reduce the boar population to protect the Forest and surrounding area. The council has also received 22 letters all of which will be forwarded to the Forestry Commission."

In a heated debate that lasted for almost 90 minutes, councillors debated the motion put forward by Cllr Don Pugh (Lab, Pillowell) that the council supports the Forestry Commission in adopting effective management methods, within their agreed management plan 2010-2016, that will control the boar population in the Forest.

Cllr Pugh said: "The boar has invaded and rooted public spaces and homes as well as contributed to accidents and injured other animals who share the Forest. They carry two diseases; classic swine flu, which is a problem in close proximity, and foot and mouth which is a problem when they're eating waste food and meat.

"These animals breed three times a year and control of them is best done through a shot gun, however the Forestry Commission must take advice from experts beforehand."

The idea of culling the boar sparked a mixed reaction from councillors – who argued that while the boar needed to be managed there are considerations to take into account including a possible risk of poaching and road kill.

Cllr Jackie Fraser (Lab, Mitcheldean and Drybrook) said: "When will they (the Forestry Commission) do this? Will they close off parts of the Forest? There are a lot of questions and we must take into account poaching, farmers shooting boar on their land and road kill..."

Meanwhile Cllr Andrew Gardiner (Non-aligned, Lydbrook and Ruardean) moved an amendment suggesting the Forestry Commission employ rangers in the Forest to control the boar. Cllr Stephens said it should be considered at tomorrow's meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Cllr Gardiner said: "The Forest is a very wild area – it's not manicured – the lack of supervision of these animals is the problem and my amendment calls for the Forestry Commission to recognise this and employ rangers."

Cllr Len Lawton (Con, Newent Central) added: "Better management of the Forest and animals may alleviate the problem but this doesn't mean slaughter."

The number of councillors who voted for the Forestry Commission to adopt a management strategy was 32 to nine against, three abstentions and one non-vote.

•Deputy Surveyor for the Forest of Dean Kevin Stannard will be giving the annual update on the boar strategy at tomorrow's scrutiny meeting at 6pm.