§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice her Department offers farmers and growers on the eradication of Veronica species, commonly known as Speedwell; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThis matter has been delegated to ADAS. I have asked the chief executive to reply to the hon. Gentleman direct.
Letter from Dr. J. M. Walsh to Mr. Gordon McMaster, dated 5 May 1994:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your question concerning what advice the Department offers farmers and growers on the eradication of Veronica species, commonly known as Speedwell.The genus Veronica includes a number of species of wild plant, two of which are common weeds of agricultural land. These two are:634WVeronica persica ……… Common Field SpeedwellVeronica hederifolia ………… Ivy-leaved SpeedwellSpeedwell is not an injurious weed as defined by the Weed Act 1959 and hence the Department is under no statutory/legal obligations with regard to its control.ADAS, on behalf of MAFF implements a number of environmental schemes such as ESAs, and within the terms and conditions of the schemes provides husbandry advice to farmers. Such advice free at the point of delivery, i.e. to the farmer, may cover appropriate practical measures for the control of weed infestations.ADAS independently of MAFF does of course offer a whole range of chargeable consultancy services to farmers and growers, and advice on the control or eradication of weeds would be provided where appropriate. There are no particular technical problems related to the control of Speedwell by herbicides.