HC Deb 25 July 1955 vol 544 cc798-9
12. Mr. B. Harrison

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the fact that his Department has identified lucerne eelworm in a crop growing at Deal Hall, Burnham-on-Crouch, he is aware that the seed was imported from France; and if he will take steps to prevent the further import of affected seed.

Mr. Amory

Two small patches of lucerne eelworm were found in a field on this farm by my officers, who were informed that the seed had been imported from France. It is thought that lucerne eelworm can be seed-borne, but this cannot be confirmed pending further investigation, which is in hand. The question of imposing health restrictions on imported seed is under consideration.

Mr. Harrison

Will my right hon. Friend consider sending one of the officers of his Department over to France or, possibly, Hungary to study the control of this disease?

Mr. Amory

I will take every step that seems advisable. We ought to allow the present investigation to go a bit further before we decide what steps will be necessary; but I assure my hon. Friend that I am treating this matter seriously.