Written question asked by Lord Framlingham (Conservative) on Thursday, 27 June 2019, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 July 2019. It was answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 July 2019 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Trees: Diseases

Question: 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.

Answer: 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.

Secondary information