§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has of aphids developing immunity to organo-phosphorous compounds; what research is being currently conducted by the Agricultural Research Council on this topic; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangPractical farming evidence exists of the development in some aphids of resistance to organo-phosphorous compounds, and this is seen as a contributory factor in the failure of sprays to control aphids in sugar beet last year. Laboratory investigations have also shown that some populations of the peach/potato aphid and the damson/hop aphid possess significant levels of resistance.
Research is being conducted on the nature of resistance to insecticides at the ARC Stations at Rothamsted and Brooms Barn, and it is proposed that fur- 647W ther work should be commenced at the National Vegetable Research Station. Other work is actively under way to find alternative insecticides and ways of avoiding or delaying the development of resistance to these insecticides in the future.