§ Mr. Leeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the incidence of wilting oak disease; and what precautions his Department are taking against the disease spreading in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. StrangOak wilt is not present in this country. The Importation of Wood and Bark (Prohibition) (Great Britain) Order 1977—SI 1977/901—imposes stringent conditions on the landing in this country of oak from North America, where the disease has been present since 1942.
§ Mr. Kenneth Bakerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of oak wilt have been reported to his Department over the last four years.
§ Mr. StrangNo cases of oak wilt have ever been reported in this country.
§ Mr. Kenneth Bakerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has recently received about the possibility of oak wilt being introduced into the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. StrangThe Forestry Commission is receiving views from many trade organisations and forestry interests in connection with the intensive study it is currently conducting into the trade in oak from North America.
§ Mr. Kenneth Bakerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he has had with his opposite number in France about the danger of oak wilt becoming established in the United Kingdom since the French Government are proposing to ban the import of all oak wood from North America, where this disease is prevalent.
§ Mr. StrangForestry Commission scientists have had consultations with their French colleagues directly and through the EEC plant health working group. The group is considering a French proposal that the stringent controls on oak wood in the round contained in the EEC plant190W health directive should be extended to sawn wood. French representatives have mentioned that a total ban on import of oak from North America into France was under consideration, but it has recently been learnt that no final decision has been made.