§ Mr. Alan Clarkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he intends to take to prevent the spread among bees in the United Kingdom of Varroa Jacobsonii.
§ Mr. Hicksasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department has taken to prevent the spread of the bee mite Varroa Jacobsonii to the United Kingdom; what action has been taken in respect of bees imported from infected countries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangThe Importation of Bees Order 1978, which came into effect on 1 January 1979, prohibits the importation of bees into Great Britain, unless they are accompanied by a certificate issued in the exporting country which states that the breeding apiary has been examined by an official inspector, and no trace of the mite varroa jacobsonii was found. Varroa98W grounds to believe, or reasonable cause for believing, that they may operate against the national interest, lead to rising prices or create substantial unemployment.
§ Mr. John FraserI have been asked to reply.
I have no proposals to amend the powers in section 79 of the Fair Trading Act 1973.