Grey squirrels in the UK could be fed contraceptives to defeat the invasive species.
The animals could be lured to feeding boxes which they alone can access and fed pots of hazelnut spread which would be laced with contraceptives.
The proposals would help reduce the grey squirrel population without the need to kill any of the 'invasive' species, which have all but replaced native red squirrels.
Lord Benyon, Environment Minister claims grey squirrels can do "untold damage" to woodland and red squirrel populations.
Researchers say birth control can make male and female greys infertile - and should be ready to use in two years.
The species was brought from North America in the 19th century, but they are known to strip bark from trees to allow the squirrel to access the sap beneath.
It is now estimated there are 2.7million grey squirrels in the UK
They target trees aged up to 50 years old, and their favourites are oak, beech, sweet chestnut and sycamore.
They can kill or damage trees or provide an entry point for pests and diseases.
Lord Goldsmith has warned they threaten Government efforts to tackle climate change by damaging younger trees which are planned to combat global warming.
Red squirrels, which are native to the UK, are now on the verge of extinction in many parts of the country.
There is estimated to be 160,000 red squirrels left and just 15,000 remain in England.
Greys are more powerful than than reds and scientists say they also a carry a squirrel pox virus which is deadly to reds, but does not affect greys.
Giving the animals a contraceptive is said to be more humane, according to Dr Giovanna Massei of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Her team has developed a vaccine which causes the immune system to restrict sex hormones leaving squirrels infertile.
A feeding hopper has also been created which keeps out other species and could result in grey populations being hugely reduced.
Dr Massei said: "It could even eradicate them from some areas, provided you can do a coordinated control over an area, so they don't start to re-immigrate."
The financial damage caused by grey squirrels do is thought to be £37m a year in just England and Wales.
Kay Haw, the director of the UKSA said: "Red squirrels now only survive in island ecosystems where there aren't any grey squirrels or where a red squirrel community group are working hard to keep back the grey squirrels".
Greys are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s list of “100 worst invasive non-native species”, compete with red squirrels for food.
The Mirror revealed the radical new programme in January last year.
The invasive grey squirrels will be given oral contraceptives to reduce their numbers,
This is an effort to boost tree cover and allow the return of native reds. The Government has said the species costs the economy £1.8billion a year.
Environment minister Zac Goldsmith has said the rising number of grey squirrels, which is approaching three million, also threatens efforts to tackle the climate crisis.
A coalition of forestry and conservation organisations named the UK Squirrel Accord (UKSA) is leading the proposals.
