Code of Practice to Prevent the Spread of Non-Indigenous Flatworms
Recommended Measures |
The following measures are recommended to reduce the risk of the flatworm being introduced into or spread from your premises :-
- Inspect incoming consignments of plants
Inspect pots or trays carefully particularly if they come from an area where findings of the flatworm have been reported.
- Maintain good hygiene
Always use fresh, sterile compost or other sterile growing medium when potting up plants, not material taken from places where flatworms might be hiding. For example, a container of compost or growing medium which has been opened and left lying on the ground may prove an attractive hiding place for flatworms.
Clear up spilt compost or other growing medium, disposing of or thoroughly cleaning used pots and other containers.
- Check regularly under matting or pots standing
directly on the ground for flatworms or their egg capsules
Flatworms are found on the soil surface. They will seek damp places, such as under loose turves, plastic or other sheeting, rocks, flat stones, plant containers etc. for shelter during the day. Egg capsules can also be found in such areas.
Where containers stand on black polythene or capillary matting, frequently check, where possible, the underside of the polythene or matting for the flatworm.
Whenever pots are standing directly on the ground, check whether flatworms have hidden under the pot and are either still on the ground surface or have adhered to the underside of the pot.
- Lift plants from their pots frequently to check
for the presence of flatworms or their egg capsules
Flatworms and their egg capsules can also be found inside plant containers between the root ball and the edge of the container.
- Set traps
One of the locations where flatworms are most frequently found is in private gardens. Where nursery or other premises are adjacent to private gardens, set 'traps' close to the boundary, consisting of a weighted down sheet of black plastic or plank of wood. check the underside of these traps frequently for the presence of flatworms or their egg capsules.
- Inspect all outgoing consignments of plants carefully
whether or not they are for export
Check planting material leaving the nursery or other premises carefully for the presence of flatworms whether or not it is for export.
Action on Discovering a Suspected Flatworm |
If you suspect that you have found a New Zealand or Australian flatworm, or their egg capsule, do not touch it as the mucus covering the flatworm can cause skin irritation. Please contact the relevant organisation below with details of the time, place and nature of the discovery.
The species will be identified and confirmed cases notified to the appropriate division within Defra or devolved administration Agriculture Department. This may lead to further investigations by the Departments or their agents.
Contacts for suspected Flatworm finds |
In England & Wales: |
| Findings of Flatworms
|
In Scotland: |
| Agricultural and Horticultural
Businesses only Please send details of your find (not the suspected flatworms themselves) to: Dr
J Pickup For findings on private premises Please send details of your find or, if you wish to have your find identified, please send it live in a crush proof container with some moist paper or damp moss, to: Dr B Boag SCRI Invergowrie Dundee DD2 5DA Tel: 01382 562731 Fax: 01382 562426 Brian.Boag@scri.ac.uk |
In Northern Ireland: |
| Please send details of your find (not the
suspected flatworms themselves) to: Mr J P Moore Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (ABFI) Newforge Lane Belfast BT9 5PX Tel: 02890 255288 Fax: 02890 255003 |
Page last modified:
22 Mar 2007
Page published: 26 May 2006