§ 23. Mr. Charles Morrisonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what continuing arrangements exist for the identification and monitoring of diseases of hardwoods.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe identification and monitoring of diseases of hardwood trees are carried out by the Forestry Commission through its research and advisory services, and its contacts with universities and other research organisations.
§ Mr. MorrisonIn addition to Dutch elm disease there have been reports of some new diseases among oak and chestnut. Has my hon. Friend seen those reports, is his Department looking into them, and what action does it consider to be necessary?
§ Mr. StodartMy hon. Friend is no doubt referring to the possibility of oak wilt and chestnut blight. I can assure 1696 him that there are important controls to prevent these, but we are examining plant health controls to see whether they need strengthening in the light of the coming into this country, so sadly, of the elm disease.