To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to establish the number of local authorities which remove ragwort from grass verges. (291930)

DEFRA does not hold information about weed clearance activities by local authorities. Responsibility for clearance of ragwort and other weeds on grass verges rests with the local authority in respect of minor roads and with the Highways Agency in respect of motorways and trunk roads.