Sweden attempting to control Spanish slugs

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, June 18 (UPI) -- Sweden is attempting to determine the best course of action regarding the spread of Spanish slugs in the provinces of Halland and Bohuslan, an official says.

Eva Mellqvist of the Swedish Board of Agriculture's Plant Protection Division said while the agency has tabbed $63,000 to combat the spread of the invasive slugs, it remains unclear what efforts will impact the species the most, the Swedish news agency TT reported Thursday.

"Today we don't have enough knowledge about what dose is necessary to combat the slugs or if the substance used has a strong enough effect," Mellqvist said.

The slugs have impacted both farmers and recreational vegetable growers in Sweden to date.

Mellqvist said future rainfall in 2009 could play an integral part in the country's attempts to battle the Spanish slugs.

"I don't think it will be like 2007. Then there were a huge number of slugs following all the spring rains," she told TT.

"As long as there isn't any more rain (it shouldn't be as bad this year)."