Growers battle veg muncher
A top-level investigation into a 'superfly' pest that devastates leeks and onions on allotments and in gardens in the West Midlands should be carried out, according to an MP.A top-level investigation into a 'superfly' pest that devastates leeks and onions on allotments and in gardens in the West Midlands should be carried out, according to an MP. The veg-chomping allium leaf miner has wiped out thousands of vegetables since it was first identified in a Wolverhampton garden by government scientists in 2003 and has since been spotted in the Cannock, Stafford and Kidderminster areas. Now Tom Watson, MP for West Bromwich East, is to call on the country's top boffins to investigate the pest, called Napomyza gymnostoma, following calls for help from allotment growers and gardeners. Mr Watson visited Bromford Lane Allotments in West Bromwich where he met Frank Gregg, secretary of the Midland Leek and Onion Society, and was shown examples of ravaged leeks. "This is a very serious problem as leeks, onions and garlic are staple crops," said Mr Watson. Read the full story in today's Express & Star.
The veg-chomping allium leaf miner has wiped out thousands of vegetables since it was first identified in a Wolverhampton garden by government scientists in 2003 and has since been spotted in the Cannock, Stafford and Kidderminster areas.
Now Tom Watson, MP for West Bromwich East, is to call on the country's top boffins to investigate the pest, called Napomyza gymnostoma, following calls for help from allotment growers and gardeners.
Mr Watson visited Bromford Lane Allotments in West Bromwich where he met Frank Gregg, secretary of the Midland Leek and Onion Society, and was shown examples of ravaged leeks.
"This is a very serious problem as leeks, onions and garlic are staple crops," said Mr Watson.
"The gardeners have asked me to take the matter up with the Government, and I am writing to Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, to ask if experts can investigate this matter."
Mr Watson, a keen vegetable grower himself, said he understood the frustrations of gardeners and wanted to do all he could to help reduce the effects of the infestation.
Mr Gregg said top exhibitors had so far been unaffected because they grow under polythene tunnels and the fly had not got into them.
"But there is a lot of concern about this across the area because leeks and onions are important to people who like to grow their own produce," he added.
