Need to protect our earthworms

Madam, - Two recent reports in your newspaper, the latest on May 17th, extol the value of our humble earthworm. There was no mention of the dreaded flatworm which made its way to Monaghan in potted plants from New Zealand some years back and is literally eating our native earthworms alive.

When I lived in Dublin I found out too late that some manure from nearby stables was riddled with flatworm. Very soon I had no earthworms in my back garden. Flatworms are nocturnal, feed exclusively on earthworms and have no enemies. They are colonising Ireland at an alarming rate.

Now that there is a monetary value on these lovely creatures maybe the Government will take action before it is too late. - Yours, etc,

TOM O'BRIEN,

Kilmore,

Co Wexford.