HL Deb 22 February 1877 vol 232 cc806-7
LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEY

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he can give any information respecting the progress of the Colorado or potato beetle? The noble Lord said, that as it had been reported in August last that the Colorado beetle had reached Canada, ho thought it possible that his noble Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies might be in possession of some information on the subject, and that whatever information he might give would be very acceptable to the farmers of Ireland and the North of England. It would be a satisfaction to them to know that the Government were watching the progress of this pest. He believed that the Government had already taken measures to check the entrance of these beetles at our ports, and perhaps his noble Friend would be able to confirm the paragraphs to that effect which had appeared in the Press. He hoped the Government would consider whether it might not be the safer course to prohibit the importation of all American potatoes except those which, being intended for seed, were carefully packed and sent clean and free from the beetles or their eggs.

THE EARL OF CARNARVON

said, there was no doubt, as the noble Lord had said, that the question was one of considerable importance, as the ravages of the insect had been very great in the western part of America, and had created a great deal of apprehension in Canada. There was no doubt that if it were to reach this country and become acclimatized here the mischief might be very considerable. All that was possible he believed had been done. He had communicated with the Board of Trade and the Canadian Government as to the necessity of supervision over those ports from which potatoes were exported. The Board of Customs had issued two Orders on the subject—one in 1875 and one last year—in which a close examination of every ship arriving in the months of August and September laden with potatoes was enjoined. The great danger was that the insect might also be imported from Germany, for it had been found that a similar insect had been discovered in Germany, which was shown, on investigation, to be the same insect which had proved so destructive in America and Canada. All American and Canadian ships were carefully watched on coming into port, and if it should be found necessary German ships would also be watched. The Government were fully alive to the importance of the subject.