§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to publish her report on invasive plants and if she will make a statement. [100406]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Department, with the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales, has convened a working group comprising a wide range of stakeholders, to undertake a fundamental review of policy and practice on non-native species. The report of the working group is due to be published later this month. I shall make an announcement at the time of publication.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what strategy she has adopted to deal with(a) Australian swamp stonecrop, (b) Japanese knotweed and (c) other invasive plants. [100407]
§ Mr. MorleyI am aware of the problems that can be caused by invasive non-native plants such as Japanese knotweed(Fallopia japonica) and Australian swamp stonecrop(Crassula helmsii). The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provides measures for prohibiting spread of Japanese knotweed, and some other invasive plant species. It is an offence to plant or otherwise cause this species to grow in the wild. Waste containing Japanese knotweed is controlled under the Environment Protection Act 1990. Australian swamp stonecrop is not currently regulated.
The Environment Agency and English Nature, with the Centre for Aquatic Plant Management, produce detailed guidance for landowners and managers on how to control invasive non-native aquatic plant species. The Environment Agency also takes local measures to deal with problem plant species if flood defences are compromised. Similarly, English Nature may take local measures where conservation interests are threatened by these species.
The Department is to publish a working group report on non-native species policy later this month.