Dutch Elm Disease (Hansard, 30 October 1975)

§ 15. Mr. Cope
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures have been taken to ensure a market for timber felled as a result of Dutch elm disease.

§ Mr. Strang
Proposals for extending the market for timber felled as a result of Dutch elm disease are under active consideration. We hope to make an announcement in a few days.

§ Mr. Cope
Is the Minister aware that the Forestry Commission has today published a report on the progress of the disease, which amounts in some countries almost to the death certificate of the English elm? Does he agree that we must try to get the best out of this national disaster by using the timber? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the first nine months of this year we imported £250 million worth of timber, even though the timber market is in the doldrums? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that as many as 5½ million trees will be rotting in the ground?

§ Mr. Strang
I am glad that the hon. Gentleman has mentioned the report of the Forestry Commission, which came out today. I accept the substance of what the hon. Gentleman said, but I am sure that he will understand that there are considerable difficulties in placing additional elm in an already depressed market. We are having discussions to see how we can best proceed.

§ Mr. Woodall
Will my hon. Friend consider making approaches to his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment with a view to recompensing local authorities, which are having to dispose of trees suffering from this disease when the owner of the property concerned cannot do so himself?

§ Mr. Strang
My hon. Friend is right in that many local authorities, to their credit, are now taking on this responsibility. I am sure that my hon. Friend would not expect me to give any commitment involving additional public expenditure at this stage.

§ Mr. Charles Morrison
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the yards of many timber merchants in Wiltshire and Somerset are already over-full with elm? Is he aware that they cannot cut down any more because they have not the space for the trees? Does he appreciate that this has happened because the market seems to have disappeared? Has the Minister heard that it is being rumoured that the market has disappeared not least because the National Coal Board has stopped purchasing elm? Will he give an undertaking that all statutory bodies and nationalised industries will be given every encouragement to purchase elm timber as and when possible?

§ Mr. Strang
I am happy to give the hon. Gentleman that undertaking. As he has acknowledged, this is a difficult problem. Indeed, it is a national catastrophe.

Dr. M. S. Miller
Is my hon. Friend aware that this disease has no racial connotations in that it has reached the Glasgow district? Is my hon. Friend satisfied that sufficient steps are being taken to continue all attempts to eradicate the disease, especially as it is moving so far north?

§ Mr. Strang
Yes, I agree with my hon. Friend. The disease is moving north, although the really serious damage is being done in the southern part of the country. We are anxious to take all possible steps to prevent the disease from moving even further north.