Question
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper (CP 1021) on 31 January, how many species or genera of plants remain banned for entry into Northern Ireland; and which species or genera remain banned.
Answer
Through the Windsor Framework we have already lifted the ban on the most urgent 11 priority species, these being European beech, English oak, sessile oak, Norway maple, Japanese maple, sycamore maple, field maple, crab apple, common apple, hawthorn and two types of privet (wax leaf and delavey).
The ban on common hazel will be lifted soon, which will be followed by another seven species that industry have prioritised. We will continue to work with industry to identify further species as needed.
The latest information on the plants’ dossiers, including those where the bans have been lifted, can be found at gov.uk.