§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from beekeepers about the threat posed by varroa; and if he will make a statement. [18799]
§ Mr. BoswellWe take the threat to honey bees from varroa most seriously and this is a matter upon which we have received a number of representations from beekeepers. The Ministry continues to work closely with beekeeping organisations to control the impact and spread of varroa.
§ Mrs. JacksonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what grants are available to beekeepers(a) to test their bees for varroa and (b) to treat bees with Bayvarol. [18797]
§ Mr. BoswellThe Ministry provides a free diagnostic and information service for varroa, with the cost of treatment being borne by beekeepers. In addition the Ministry funds around £200,000 of research and development work relating to varroa.
§ Mrs. JacksonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussion he has had with EU representatives about United Kingdom beekeepers through the EC Council regulation COM(96)596. [18798]
§ Mr. BoswellThe Commission's proposals for a regulation concerning honey and beekeeping have been discussed in Brussels both at working group level and in the Special Committee for Agriculture. They have yet to be discussed in the Council of Ministers.