Written question asked by Robert Halfon (Conservative) on Friday, 15 October 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 October 2021. It was answered by Rebecca Pow (Conservative) on Monday, 25 October 2021 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Oak Processionary Moth

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage cooperation between local authorities and the Forestry Commission to help prevent the spread of oak processionary moth.

Answer: The annual OPM management programme is delivered in partnership between the Forestry Commission, landowners and Local Authorities, and is designed to slow the rate of spread, reduce pest prevalence and protect uninfected areas. To further support the work of Local Authorities on OPM, we will shortly be launching a toolkit for Local Authorities which has been co-designed with Local Authorities, and led by the Tree Council in collaboration with Forestry Commission.

Secondary information