HL Deb 12 June 1979 vol 400 cc600-1WA
Lord BEAUMONT of WHITLEY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What actions they are taking or propose to take to prevent the import of Sclerotinia Camelliae into the United Kingdom.

Earl FERRERS

All imported camellia plants must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate stating that they have been inspected during the growing season and found substantially free from pests and diseases. All imported plants and cut blooms are subject to check inspection by plant health inspectors of the Agricultural Departments. Under regulations, which Her Majesty's Government propose to introduce later this year to implement the EEC Directive on the harmonisation of plant health frontier measures (77/93/ EEC), it is envisaged that these requirements will be continued and that all plants imported from non-member-States will also have to be free from soil.