HC Deb 18 June 1998 vol 314 c278W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to limit the damage caused by the New Zealand flatworm. [45665]

Angela Eagle

The New Zealand flatworm was added to Part 1 of Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 on 17 March 1992, making it an offence to release or allow it to escape into the wild. In 1996, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food issued a `Code of Practice to Prevent the Spread of Non-Indigenous Flatworms' and an identification guide. The status of this species continues to be monitored.