HC Deb 25 March 1974 vol 871 cc14-6W
Mr. David Stoddart

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the number of occasions on which there has been a major outbreak of potato cyst eelworm in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Buchan

Potato cyst eelworm is a pest that is well established and widespread in various parts of the United Kingdom.

Mr. David Stoddart

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of potatoes which may not be planted by gardeners and allotment holders from 1st July 1974 in accordance with EEC Directive 69/465;

(2) what representations he has had from gardeners concerning EEC Directive No. 69/465 due to come into force in the United Kingdom on 1st July 1974;

(3) how it is proposed that EEC Directive 69/465 controlling from 1st July 1974 types of potatoes that may be planted by gardeners and allotment holders should be enforced; and if he will make a statement;

(4) if he will take steps within the EEC to set aside the implementation of EEC Directive 69/465.

Mr. Buchan

EEC Directive 69/465 is concerned with the control of potato cyst eelworm and was given effect in Great Britain by the Potato Cyst Eelworm (Great Britain) Order 1973; EEC Directive 69/464 on the control of potato wart disease was given effect in Great Britain by the Wart Disease of Potatoes (Great Britain) Order 1973.

The orders contain various provisions for the control of the potato cyst eelworm and wart disease. One of those in the Wart Disease of Potatoes (Great Britain) Order 1973 restricts, as from 1st July 1974, the planting of potatoes in gardens and allotments to varieties immune to wart disease. In this respect the order extends the previous Scottish controls to first earlies and applies that system to England and Wales.

Amongst the better known varieties of potatoes the following are not immune to wart disease: Bintje, British Queen. Duke of York, Eclipse, Epicure, Kennebec, King Edward, Red King Edward, Ninety Fold, Royal Kidney, Sharpes Express, Up-to-Date.

A number of gardeners and allotment holders and their local societies have written and telephoned the Ministry about this restriction, in the main seeking factual information.

In view of the restriction I would not expect suppliers to place seed potatoes of non-immune varieties on the retail market.

We have no proposals to seek to set aside these EEC directives. Quite apart from the provisions of the directives it is very much in the interests of all those engaged in the production of crops—whether on a commercial scale or in gardens and allotments—to see that the relatively high plant health standards which are enjoyed in this country are maintained and, where possible, improved.

Mr. Bishop

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that it will be an offence to grow King Edward potatoes after July; what penalties are to be inflicted on those convicted of growing them; and if he will make representations to the EEC regarding this directive.

Mr. Buchan

Under legislation for the control of potato wart disease, the planting of non-immune varieties of potatoes—of which King Edward is one—has, in certain circumstances, been an offence in Great Britain for a number of years.

The latest measure containing such restrictions is the Wart Disease of Potatoes (Great Britain) Order 1973 which gives effect to EEC Directive 69/464. Anyone failing to comply with the requirements is liable on summary conviction to a penalty not exceeding £100 or, in respect of a second or subsequent offence, to a penalty not exceeding £200.

We have no proposals to make representations to the EEC on this directive.