Asked by: Lord Framlingham (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they are giving to an immediate and total ban on the import of (1) oak, and (2) olive, trees.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Protecting our country from pests and diseases is vital to safeguarding our environment, economy and health. Globalisation in trade and increased travel means threats to plant health are increasing, but we have a strong response in place.
Emergency measures were introduced in England on 15th July to stop the import of mature oak trees, unless robust conditions are met, to prevent the further introduction of this pest and protect the health of oak in the UK.
When considering prevention of the spread of Xylella fastidiosa to the UK, we already have strict regulations in place. However, we review the risk situation continuously and are currently considering a range of options for olive trees, including a full ban on imports.
Asked by: Lord Framlingham (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, what steps they are taking to encourage the planting of homegrown stock to address concerns about the importation of tree diseases.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Defra has provided support for the Woodland Trust’s nursery accreditation scheme which helps to promote UK sourced and grown planting stock and the now separate UK Grown in Britain scheme. To reduce the risk of importing tree diseases, Defra encourages a policy of safe sourcing and has been working with the Horticultural Trades Association to launch the ‘Plant Healthy’ management standard in January.
Asked by: Lord Framlingham (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken in the last 12 months to pursue the possibility of a quarantine system for all imported trees.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
In May 2018 the Secretary Of State published the Tree Health Resilience Strategy and a National Action Plan which included a commitment to consult on the potential for quarantine for high risk plant species. We have recently completed an informal phase of engagement with the Tree Health Policy Group on this issue, and are now conducting research to help shape a formal consultation phase. The research aims to increase the evidence base for the volume and type of plants which enter the UK and identify what specific pest/host combinations pose the highest risk and may be suitable for quarantine measures.
Asked by: Lord Framlingham (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase public awareness at all points of entry into the UK of the dangers of introducing tree disease on plants of any kind brought into the UK.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Last year, the Government launched the Don’t Risk It communications campaign to encourage the travelling public not to risk bringing plant pests and disease into the UK. This summer, advertising space has been secured at the departure lounges of two of the UK’s busiest airports, Gatwick and Manchester, in addition to the plant health messaging at the Border Force arrivals channels. The Don’t Risk It campaign has featured in the Brittany Ferries passenger magazine which has an estimated reach of over 300,000 travellers, and is also being highlighted in the July edition of the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) The Garden magazine. This will be accompanied by a social media campaign and a visible public presence that includes all RHS shows as well as important regional events such as the Royal Welsh Show.