Wheat Bulb Fly

HC Deb 23 April 1953 vol 514 cc1380-1

17. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the widespread attacks by the wheat bulb fly grub on winter wheat for the third year in succession; and if he will institute research into measures of control on a national scale in view of the heavy losses of food which are resulting from these attacks.

24. Mr. Bullard

asked the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the increasingly serious damage caused to wheat crops by the wheat bulb fly, what special research he is conducting into the reasons for the greater prevalence of this pest.

31. Mr. Godber

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the spread of the wheat bulb fly in the eastern counties; and what steps he is taking to ensure the fullest possible research in an endeavour to obtain adequate control measures over this pest.

Sir T. Dugdale

I am aware of the serious attack of the wheat bulb fly this year. Much work has already been done by my advisory officers, both on the biology of the pest and on the use of soil insecticides as a preventive measure. This work will continue and I have arranged for the Agricultural Improvement Council and the Agricultural Research Council to consider jointly what further research is required.

Mr. Bullard

Has my right hon. Friend any information about the extent of the damage which this pest has done this year? I have at least one constituent who tells me that he has only 78 acres left out of 460 drilled, which is an enormous proportion of waste. Can he say whether he thinks there is any prospect of being able to issue a statement to farmers about the prospects for next year after watching the habits of the fly during the breeding season? Is it likely that a statement can be issued to enable farmers to know whether or not to drill land for wheat next year?

Sir T. Dugdale

I cannot give any figures, but it is true that this year the damage is more serious than it has been for a considerable time, and that it is most marked in Lincolnshire and the surrounding country. Very often the attack reaches a peak and scientists have to consider what action to take, but then, over night, the fly goes away and does not attack again for a considerable number of years.