§ Lord O'HAGANasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are in favour of the European Commission's proposals on oak wilt, whether they will press for an urgent decision in the Council of Ministers, and what other steps they are prepared to take to prevent the import of oak wilt.
The MINISTER of STATE, MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES and FOOD (Earl Ferrers)We have participated in the formulation of the European Commission's proposals on oak wilt and fully support them. The proposals will reinforce the already stringent safeguards against this disease contained in Directive 77/93/EEC, which will be implemented in Great Britain shortly. The new measures, in so far as they affect Britain, will be introduced at the same time, even if they have not been formally ratified by the Council of Ministers.
308WANo other preventive measures are considered necessary, but the situation is under continuous review, and the Forestry Commission expects to take part in further scientific research into oak wilt to be mounted jointly by the European Corn-mission and the USA.