§ Mrs. WiseTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the areas in which the New Zealand flatworm has now been observed; and what guidelines he has issued to growers and gardeners in those areas; [25203]
(2) what steps he is taking to deal with the spread of the New Zealand flatworm and its threat to the United Kingdom worm population; [25205]
(3) what discussions he has held with his New Zealand counterpart as to how the New Zealand flatworm is dealt with in its native habitat with particular reference to its predators. [25204]
§ Mrs. BrowningThe Government have sponsored research which shows that the New Zealand flatworm has been found in certain areas of the United Kingdom. These findings have been sporadic and have largely been confined to private gardens, allotments and some garden centres and the flatworm is not considered likely to pose a major threat to the agricultural and horticultural industries in the United Kingdom. A code of practice is planned to supplement information and advice already provided by the Agricultural Departments to industry and the public. This advice emphasises the need to avoid spreading the New Zealand flatworm. Since 1992, it has been an offence in Great Britain under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to release flatworms, or allow them to escape, into the wild. It is understood from contacts in 683W New Zealand that in its natural environment a number of factors combine to maintain a balance between the flatworm and the native earthworm population.