§ Mr. Altonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps he intends to take to protect the remaining elm trees; and what action he will take to increase research into eradicating Dutch elm disease.
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§ Mr. WigginNo means has been found, either in this country or overseas, of eradicating Dutch elm disease, but sanitation felling campaigns designed to slow down the spread of the epidemic continue to be undertaken by local authorities in the lightly affected areas under powers given in the Dutch Elm Disease (Local Authorities) Order 1977.
Present research is concerned with various aspects of the biology of the causal fungus Ceratocystis ulmi and of the elm bark beetles which transmit the disease. The work has important consequences for the breeding of elms resistant to the disease. The EEC has agreed to provide financial support for some aspects of the work in the expectation that results will be obtained that are of value to the Communiy as a whole.