§ 52. Commander Scott-Millerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the damage to apples and pear crops caused by fire blight; how many acres have been so affected; and whether he will consider compensating the growers in the same way as farmers affected by foot-and-mouth disease, since the trees so blighted have to be totally destroyed.
§ Mr. John HareYes, Sir. About 2,500 pear trees have so far been confirmed as infested with fire blight disease; no acreage figures are available. There is no true comparison with foot-and-mouth disease and compensation could not be justified. Only infected trees, almost all of which would die in time, are destroyed. And since alive they menace all apple and pear trees in the neighbourhood, destruction is to the advantage of the growers concerned.
§ Commander Scott-MillerMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that this question illustrates another of the difficulties which all horticulturists have to face and, since they do not get the support of the guarantees, may I ask him if he will reconsider the matter, with a view to the payment of compensation in cases of this kind?
§ Mr. HareI do not think there is any real argument that compensation should be used in this kind of instance. This disease is a very serious disease. It is in the interests of growers to eradicate all infected trees immediately they notice that they are suffering from the disease.