§ Mr. Hardyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in the light of the report on the 1975 Dutch Elm Disease Survey published by the Forestry Commission on 30th October, he will 127W make a statement on further measures to be taken to deal with the disease.
§ Mr. StrangMy right hon. Friends have approved in principle further measures recommended by the Forestry Commission to tighten the controls designed to prevent the movement of diseased elm into and within the lightly affected areas, where such movement has proved to be the main source of new infection.
An order will be laid before the House to prohibit the movement of any elm timber into and within the lightly affected areas unless its bark has been removed, and a special survey will be made this winter of timber yards and sawmills in the lightly affected areas to locate any infectious timber and take appropriate steps to deal with it. The annual survey area will be extended next year to provide information on outbreaks in the rest of the country. The commission will continue to provide all possible advice and co-operation to local authorities in dealing with outbreaks in the north and in Wales and Scotland, which at present appear to be relatively localised.
My right hon. Friends have also approved measures proposed by the Forestry Commission to encourage clearance of dead trees in the severely affected area by renewed efforts to increase the outlets for elm timber. The necessary consultations are being actively pursued by the commission with the timber trade, other Government Departments, and nationalised industries. I understand that in addition my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is seeking the views of the Tree Council on whether there are any steps the Government could usefully take within existing financial constraints to encourage clearance and replacement.