Termite Infestation, Saunton, North Devon (Hansard, 3 June 1998)

§ Baroness Hayman

We are determined to do everything possible to contain and destroy the termite infestation at two properties in Saunton, North Devon. Our priority is to stop the infestation spreading and to destroy it at source.

We can therefore announce that the Government will fully fund a 12-year eradication and control programme, costing some £190,000, which will start immediately the consent of the affected owners has been received.

As I indicated on 28 April 1998 (Official Report, vol 589, cols. 150–153), when the presence of this reinfestation became known the Government asked the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to explore, as a matter of urgency, the optimum means of eradicating the termites. The programme—which has been drawn up at my request by the Building Research Establishment together with experts from agencies 31WA including the Pest Management Unit of Imperial College (London), the Natural Resources Institute and CTBA-BIOTEC, France—will be based on close monitoring within 500 metres of the affected properties followed by baiting using an insect growth regulator which will prevent the developing insects from maturing.

The Government have accepted these proposals as the best way forward, and the consortium led by the BRE has been asked to implement the eradication strategy forthwith. The proposal, based on the existing knowledge of the extent of the infestation, is to survey and monitor an area within a 500m radius of the known infestation, but to install a more intensive monitoring grid in the grounds of the two affected properties and within a 200m radius of them. If surveys show that the activity extends beyond this area, it will be extended. Once activity is detected within the monitoring stations a baiting system using a commercial system based on the insect growth regulator hexaflumuron is proposed to be installed. Bait stations would also be installed at suitable locations within affected timbers in the infested properties. Monitoring will continue for up to 10 years after activity has ceased in order to ensure that the treatment has indeed been effective. The work is dependent upon the co-operation of all property and landowners within this area, and officials in my department are seeking their permissions as a matter of urgency.

It should be stated that it is not possible to be certain of the outcome. The BRE report stresses that total eradication of a termite population is not normally considered feasible in other countries where the termite is endemic. However, since the population appears to be very restricted in this country, on the basis of the knowledge that this is a single infestation centred on two adjacent properties, we are assured by the experts that there is a high probability of success in eradicating the termite colony.

As it is considered essential to do all possible to curtail this infestation before it spreads further, the Government have undertaken to fund the full cost of the eradication and monitoring work.