§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the letter from the Under-Secretary, the Minister with responsibility for agriculture and forestry and the environment, of 15 July, if he will make a 1135W statement on his co-operation with the bee-keeping community on monitoring and diagnostic tests in relation to varroa and other bee diseases. [40369]
§ Mr. Raymond S. Robertson[holding answer 14 October 1996]: The Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department undertakes focused inspection of bee colonies in the spring and autumn of each year to confirm the continued absence of the varroa mite in Scotland. Similar action is taken each year in the areas outwith the statutory infested area in England to establish spread of disease and, if necessary, to redefine that area from which it is illegal to move bees without prior authorisation and inspection. More generally, the Scottish Office Agriculture Services Agency provides diagnostic and treatment advice on the statutorily controlled bee diseases for subsequent inspection and remedial action as necessary. Bee-keepers can also seek advice on non-statutory bee diseases from the Scottish agricultural college.