Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made on the eradication of Japanese Knotweed; and what programmes of action they are proposing for 2021.

Our research into an effective method of controlling Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) continues. The Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) has successfully collected better climatically matched populations of the psyllid, Aphalara itadori, from Japan, and is currently evaluating it as a biological control agent for Japanese knotweed in the UK.

In 2021 we will continue to work closely with the CABI on researching and developing biological control methods for this species. Until such a method is found, long term management, using physical and chemical methods, and good biosecurity, to prevent spread, will remain essential.