CONSERVATIVE
New Forest East

DEFRA – ASH DIEBACK DISEASE - 12 November 2012

DEFRA – ASH DIEBACK DISEASE - 12 November 2012

Dr Julian Lewis: As part of a solution, is my hon. Friend advocating restrictions on imports, not just for ash but for other varieties of trees and shrubs?

[Zac Goldsmith: Yes. We know the benefits of trade, but they pale in comparison with the costs of unwanted stowaways, so we need to take a far stricter approach to restricting imports, particularly for larger trees, which have become increasingly fashionable. The ones with large earth balls allow even greater opportunity for the introduction of unwanted species. ...] 

[NOTE: For Julian's speech in this Debate, click here.]