§ Mr. Spenceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to prevent potatoes from being imported during the months of July and August, in order to minimise the danger of Colorado beetle entering the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WigginUnder the EEC plant health frontier directive, which is expected to take effect before the summer, existing provisions concerning imported potatoes, will give way to a Community regime. The general effect will be that instead of applying cut-off dates for these imports there will be stringent requirements for the cleaning, packing and shipment of potatoes.
The United Kingdom will continue to have powers to check individual consignments for Colorado beetle and will use them.