Japanese Knotweed Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
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Japanese Knotweed
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Excerpts(4 years, 8 months ago)
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Lord Gardiner of Kimble
My Lords, the Government provided a very substantial settlement for operations and management, including vegetation management, to Network Rail for England and Wales. Last year, Network Rail met with the Property Care Association to discuss knotweed; the meeting was an opportunity to discuss current management, and to explore how Network Rail can give trackside neighbours the assurance they need, particularly to satisfy mortgage lenders, for instance.
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Lab)
My Lords, does the Minister think that if Lady Sharples were in her place, she would have been impressed by the progress that is being made?
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
My Lords, my noble friend is very understanding that sometimes psyllids do not work as well as we would like. I am pleased to have this opportunity to say there is continuing research, because this plant is very successful in this country, but is an invasive species. We should be very watchful and raise awareness about the issues of invasive species.