asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they plan to ban the import, sale, growing and introduction into the wild of water primrose (Ludwigia species) in the United Kingdom. [HL5895]

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it illegal to plant or otherwise cause to grow in the wild any plant listed on Schedule 9 to the Act. It also contains the power to ban by order the sale of specified non-native species. In 2007-08 Defra and the Welsh Assembly consulted publicly on proposals which included adding Ludwigia grandiflora and Ludwigia peploides to Schedule 9, and also banning their sale. Consultation responses are currently being considered. There are no powers under the Act to ban importation or growing in a contained environment.

In Scotland, amendments to Schedule 9 and proposals to ban the sale of certain species are being taken forward separately under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. The Scottish Executive recently consulted on proposals to add Ludwigia species (except Ludwigia palustris) to Schedule 9 and banning their sale.

In Northern Ireland, proposals to ban the sale of certain species are being taken forward under a review of the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985. The Department of Environment in Northern Ireland recently consulted on proposals to add Ludwigia species to Schedule 9 to the order. The schedule identifies non-native species which, if established, could impose considerable risk to biodiversity. In that respect they are subject to enhanced control and enforcement measures. There are no powers under the 1985 order to ban the importation or growing in a contained environment.

As stated in the Invasive Non-Native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain, we plan to identify what further legislative powers may be needed to tackle the issue of invasive non-native species.