§ Mr. Staintonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the widespread recent distribution in the United Kingdom of substantial quantities of Dutch chrysanthemums contaminated with white rust, he will reimpose the import ban until the Netherlands authorities satisfactorily explain the failure of their inspection regime and give proof of its effective overhaul.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ban the import of chrysanthemums from the Netherlands, in view of the discovery of white rust in a recent consignment delivered to London markets; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI am extremely concerned at the two recent cases of serious infestation of white rust on Dutch chrysanthemums. I would have imposed an immediate ban but for the fact that, just after the findings, the Dutch authorities notified me of new and strengthened control measures. I decided to allow an opportunity for the new measures to prove themselves, but I have made it plain to the Dutch Minister of Agriculture that a ban will be imposed immediately if any further significant incident occurs.