§ The Duke of Montroseasked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they are able to trace recent purchasers of plants susceptible to phytophthora ramorum from nurseries that have been found to be infected; and to what extent they undertake this. [HL675]
§ Lord WhittyEmergency measures put in place in May 2002 required the notification of any movement of rhododendrons and viburnums, the two types of plant which in Europe have been most often found to be infected. These were superseded in November 2002 by EU-wide measures to ensure that consignments of these plants intended for trade are accompanied by a plant passport. This passport will identify the registered producer from whom any infected material originates. The registered producer is under an obligation to keep records of consignments despatched. Host material purchased by the premises where infection is found can therefore be traced back to the original supplier and an inspection of those premises takes place. Similarly, all commercial premises to whom infected material has been distributed will be inspected. This would include any material sold on for general landscape purposes where the buyer is known.
Clearly tracing of plants sold on to the general public is more problematic. Buyers of host species have been advised to check plants before purchase for symptoms of the disease and to contact their garden centres if these subsequently develop. Any confirmed findings will then be subject to the tracing procedures outlined above. A number of initiatives have also been instigated to raise public awareness including a poster and information sheet which is available on Defra's website at www.defra.gov.uk/planth/graphics/sod.pdf. Copies have also been placed in the Library of the House.
§ The Duke of Montroseasked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the answer by the Lord Whitty on 6 January which indicates that the number of nurseries with material infected by phytophthora ramorum has doubled since the Written Answer by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 12 February 2003 (HC Deb, col. 852–3W), whether they would consider issuing for the reassurance of the public certificates of freedom from the disease to nurseries that have had no evidence of infection. [HL676]
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§ Lord WhittyPlant passports must be attached to all rhododendrons and viburnums going to retailers or landscapers. Authorisation to issue plant passports is given to nurseries which have been officially inspected and at which either no symptoms ofP ramorum have been seen, or plants found to be infected, and those in a surrounding cordon sanitaire, have been immediately destroyed under official supervision. Nurseries are free to publicise their authorisation if they wish, to provide an assurance of their disease-free status. As indicated in my answer to Lord Greaves in the House on 6 January, action at sites where there is persistent infection will in future include notification of those responsible for adjoining land. Further consideration is being given to the appropriate balance between the need for transparency and the need to avoid a disproportionate reaction to isolated findings which have been swiftly eliminated. A map of outbreaks is already maintained on Defra's website and is available at www.defra.gov.uk/planth/graphics/sod.pdf. Copies have also been placed in the Library of the House.