8. Will the Minister make a statement on the effect of non-native plant species in Wales? OAQ53646

Thank you. I recognise invasive non-native species continue to have an environmental, social and economic impact in Wales. I fully support a number of initiatives involving our partners designed to reduce the impact of these species and to control or eradicate them.

Can I thank you for that answer? Swansea has been described as the knotweed capital of Britain. And whilst we have other non-native species, such as Himalayan balsam, it is knotweed that is the big problem. Could the Minister give an update on the use of a natural predator that is being trialled on a number of sites, and also on the use of pesticides that are being developed at Swansea University?

Thank you. I am aware—we've exchanged a great deal of correspondence and also in this Chamber around this issue. The establishment of the psyllid has proved difficult due to overwintering pressures and also predation. We've had seven years of feed trials and there's no discernible evidence to suggest a negative impact on Japanese knotweed. So, the trials have been paused in Wales whilst the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International conduct further investigations on establishment.

In terms of pesticide use, researchers have concluded glyphosate is the only current systemic herbicide that is successful at treating knotweed and, again, the researchers state eradication in the short term is not possible, but control can be achieved if you use it for three years of the minimum amounts, as highlighted in their research.

Mike Hedges has mentioned the use of natural predators to remove species such as knotweed. Minister, if I can take a slightly different angle on this, both native and non-native species are, potentially, good environments for wildlife, a point that is made on the Bee Friendly Monmouthshire website. The Monmouthshire natural assets project is a collaboration between the Gwent Wildlife Trust and Monmouthshire County Council, offering advice and some grant money to maintain and enhance local wildlife sites like this and helping with environmental management. That's partially funded by the European agricultural fund for rural development. If and when we do leave the European Union, has your department given any thought to potential avenues that this fund can access to try and continue the fight against unwelcome non-native species and support wildlife across Wales?

Well, yes, the UK Government told us we wouldn't lose a penny if we left the EU, so we're holding them to that. But I think you make an important point: not all non-native species do pose a threat to our health, economy and environment, and I think it is really important that we focus our action on the invasive non-native species because, as you say, there are other areas that we need to promote biodiversity.