Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to his Department's publication entitled Safeguarding the Union, published on 31 January 2024, what recent progress his Department has made on removing prohibitions on shrubs and trees.

Since the publication of the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper, bans have been lifted on five species of plant including hazel, wild privet and linden. The Commission has published a further seven commodity risk assessments for other species, following the provision of scientific evidence by the UK Government on the basis of industry demand. We continue to work closely with the horticultural sector, including through the Horticulture Working Group, in order to maximise opportunities for trade in plants and plant products within the United Kingdom.