HC Deb 17 September 2004 vol 424 cc1933-4W
Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what public protection guidance her Department has offered local authorities with regard to the use of Tordon 22k to combat Japanese knotweed. [188467]

Mr. Bradshaw

Japanese knotweed (Fallopia Japonica) is a large and vigorous weed, which is considered a troublesome pest in many parts of the country.

Tordon 22k is highly effective against Japanese knotweed when applied in line with directions for use on the label. Tordon 22k contains the active substance picloram and is fully approved for use on land not intended for cropping, nor is it appropriate for use in or near water, or near trees. There are no specific consents required to use this product but any user must follow all of the conditions of use and directions for use on the product label. This product is for professional use only as an agricultural/horticultural/industrial herbicide. Conditions relating to its sale, supply, storage and use are covered under Schedules 2 and 3 to the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986.

The Department has not issued specific guidance to local authorities on the use of Tordon 22k, however, the Pesticides Safety Directorate do publish general advice on the use of pesticides. The use of Tordon 22k is recommended in the Environment Agency's Code of Practice for the management of Japanese knotweed on development sites. The Code of Practice is available from www.environment-agency.gov.uk and is currently being revised. English Nature, the Government's statutory nature conservation advisers, refer to Tordon 22k in their herbicide handbook "Guidance on the use of herbicides in nature conservation sites" (available from www.english-nature.org.uk).

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