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Written question asked by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party) on Monday, 23 February 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 March 2026. It was answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour) on Thursday, 12 March 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Fungi: Disease Control

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to address the biosecurity risks arising from (1) the lack of reference to non-pathogenic fungi, or (2) the ability of non-invasive species of fungi to cause extreme environmental harm, in the Environment Improvement Plan 25 biosecurity strategy.

Answer

The Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) ensures that nature’s recovery is a key priority, including the conservation and recovery of plants, animals and fungi. It includes prioritised actions to enhance biosecurity and reaffirms our commitment to strategies including the Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain and the UK Biological Security Strategy, and highlights some of the ways we will deliver them.

This includes a dedicated programme of risk and horizon scanning, which continuously and proactively assesses emerging threats to plant health and the potential impact on the UK, including from fungi, using the UK Plant Health Risk Register as a screening tool. Where pests and diseases are deemed a significant risk, priority actions are identified and implemented to mitigate such risk, for example through regulation or research and development.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL14655
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Disease control Fungi
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk