Sudden Oak Death Disease (Hansard, 18 September 2003)

§ Mr. Chope
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in what species of plant sudden oak death disease has been identified in the UK within the last year. [130612]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
As at 16 September 2003, phytophthora ramorum (the cause of the syndrome sudden oak death in the USA) has been confirmed in the following species:
Laboratory are employed directly to survey gardens and nurseries for phytophthora ramorum in England and Wales.
Five people from outside the Department have been employed on a contractual basis for the period July to October 2003.
The cost of employing staff working directly on survey work and of those employed on a contractual basis since 1 January 2003 is estimated at about £400,000.
931W

§ Mr. Chope
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of sudden oak death disease have been reported to her Department in the last year. [130614]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
Nine confirmed reports from private nurseries and other independent consultants have been received by the Department in the last year.