asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his policy in relation to artioposthia triangulata; the evidence his Department has of findings within the Twenty-Six Counties; the potential impact on soil condition of the further spread of the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Soil Disease.
23.
The terrestrial flat worm, artioposthia triangulata is a native of New Zealand and has been recorded in this country, only in County Donegal. It has also been recorded in a number of locations in Northern Ireland and Scotland. It is a predator of the earth-worm and if the population of earth-worms were seriously diminished, the friable structure of top soil could be adversely affected. Samples of soil will continue to be laboratory tested for the occurrence of this flat worm but there is no question of it posing any significant threat at this stage.