Mr Hector Monro: .... The term "Dog, Prairie" is misleading, because a "prairie dog" is not a dog but a rodent of the marmot family. Amendment No. 195 clarifies points about the giant hogweed, the giant kelp and the Japanese knotweed.
Mr Peter Hardy: ...the variety of wildlife in Britain. However, I think that it is timely to remind the Minister not to allow alien importation unless it has been considered very carefully. Some people brought in Japanese knotweed, and that was disastrous. Others brought in mink and allowed them to escape, and they have had a savage effect on nature in many parts of the country. We should consider others...
Damian Green: ...the countryside, but to date there have been no successful prosecutions for illegal release of listed schedule 9 plants. Yet the relatively few species that are supposedly controlled, including the Japanese knotweed—the Minister, I think, said in Committee that it was a problem for him—and the giant hogweed are still causing havoc. A number of other species are causing problems, many...
Robin Harper: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to prevent the continued spread of invasive, non-native species of plants, such as Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed.
Alasdair Morgan: To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local authorities on the control of Japanese knotweed.
Alasdair Morgan: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider extending the scope of section 1 of the Weeds Act 1959 to include Japanese Knotweed.
Allan Wilson: ...) Act 1997 provides local authorities with powers to take action in circumstances where the amenity of an area is affected by the presence of invasive plants such as, for example, Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed. In natural heritage terms, leylandii (leyland cypress) is not regarded as posing a significant threat to the countryside. The problems associated with leylandii and other high...
Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research the Government are conducting into tackling Japanese knotweed, with particular reference to natural biological methods of control.
Mr Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's policy is on controlling the spread of Japanese Knotweed.
Japanese Knotweed
Norman Baker: To 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.
Elliot Morley: An overall assessment of the impact of non-native species was undertaken in the Review of Non-Native Species Policy, which included case studies on Japanese knotweed and New Zealand pigmyweed (also known as Australian swamp stonecrop). More detailed, site-specific environmental assessments have also been undertaken by English Nature and the Environment Agency. English Nature commission work...
Elliot Morley: ...disposal of non-native plants is made available by the Environment Agency and English Nature. Fuller details are given in the response to my hon. Friend's separate question 117799. Waste containing Japanese knotweed is controlled under the Environment Protection Act 1990.
Elliot Morley: ...for national control programmes for various invasive species, including invasive non-native plants, by way of illustration of the issue. For example, the report included estimates that a national Japanese knotweed eradication programme using current techniques would cost approximately £1.56 billion. At this level of cost, national control programmes are unlikely to be feasible. This shows...
Elliot Morley: ...alternatives to chemicals. The Department is contributing with Cornwall county council, the Environment Agency and others, to research into biological control of one of the problem species—Japanese knotweed. The study will undertake the necessary research to establish whether biological control is a feasible method for the long-term, sustainable management of Japanese knotweed in the UK....
Elliot Morley: ...to discharge this duty of care. The provisions of the 1990 Act mentioned above apply to household, industrial and commercial waste—collectively defined as "controlled waste". Material containing Japanese knotweed is treated as controlled waste to help prevent its further spread. No specific obligation is placed on local authorities under these controls to dispose of invasive weeds more...
Norman Baker: I know that the Department is trying to deal with other invasive weeds, such as Japanese knotweed and other unwelcome countryside species. Will that work run in parallel with the Bill's progress?
Ben Bradshaw: ...on their own programmes of control of invasive non-native plants. For example, a consortium led by Cornwall county council is undertaking a four year project researching the biological control of Japanese knotweed. This Department was approached and agreed to join the consortium and assist with funding the research. Guidance on control and disposal is provided by English Nature and the...
Brian Monteith: To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to reduce the incidence of Japanese knotweed.
Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the spread of Japanese knotweed; and if she will make a statement.