Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures which are being taken to prevent the spread of New Zealand and Australian flatworms here that pose a threat to the native Irish earthworm; the research which is being carried out on the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3857/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The New Zealand flatworm has been recorded in Britain and Ireland over the last ten years. These flatworms are predators of earthworms and there is no control method other than trapping and physically destroying them. As they do not affect plants or vector plant diseases they are not covered by plant health legislation that comes within the remit of my Department. There was a considerable fear that as their populations spread to agricultural land that there would be serious consequences for earthworm populations. However, research and monitoring carried out in Northern Ireland and Britain indicates that while flatworm populations are established the feared effects have not occurred. Nevertheless our advice is still to destroy flatworms where they are found. My staff check for the presence of these pests while carrying out plant health inspections of third country material.