Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to eradicate Japanese knotweed; what consideration has been given to the introduction of psyllid species as part of such measures; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Marine and Natural Environment), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Ogmore, Labour)

We have no plans to attempt eradication of Japanese knotweed. The cost of a national eradication programme using current techniques would be prohibitively expensive, estimated in the 2003 DEFRA Review of Non-native Species Policy to be in the region of £1.56 billion.

DEFRA has contributed over £240,000 to a five-year scientific research project in collaboration with Cornwall council, the Environment Agency, the Welsh Assembly Government and others, into the natural control of Japanese knotweed. This study has identified the psyllid 'Aphalara itadori' as highly specific to Japanese knotweed and a potential natural control agent. If successful, the control agent would limit the growth and natural spread of Japanese knotweed, and enhance the effectiveness of its management, but would not eradicate it.

The psyllid has been tested against 87 plant species present in the UK, including all the members of the same genus, whether or not they are native, and all our native members of the same family, plus important crops and ornamentals.

Applications have been submitted for licences to release the psyllid to the wild in England and Wales and the licensing authorities are giving careful consideration to the scientific evidence. This regulatory process has also included a public consultation by DEFRA's Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera), which was launched on 23 July. The consultation responses are currently being considered before the proposed licensing decisions are put to Ministers for approval.