§ Mr. Forthasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has made any proposals to prevent the entry to the United Kingdom of sugar beet affected by rhizomania.
§ Mrs. FennerAn order was introduced last year to control imports into the United Kingdom of sugar beet plants and unprocessed seed. A further order has now been laid before Parliament extending controls to other seed and plants of Beta vulgaris.
The United Kingdom has also pressed in Brussels for Community measures to contain the disease and the Commission has recently circulated to the EC plant health standing committee draft proposals for Community measures to control imports and exports of Beta vulgaris and any other material intended for planting on agricultural land.
§ Mr. Forthasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the incidence of rhizomania affecting sugar beet in continental Europe; and what measures are being taken by the European Economic Community Commission to control and eradicate this disease.
§ Mrs. FennerRhizomania occurs widely in sugar beet areas of Italy, Greece and the southern half of the Federal Republic of Germany. There are also affected areas in France, Austria and Yugoslavia. It is present in most East European countries. It has recently been reported in the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland. Eradication is not a feasible proposition in a country where it is firmly established. However, the United Kingdom has been pressing in Brussels for Community measurs to contain the disease through controls on imports and exports of Beta vulgaris and other material for planting on agricultural land. The Commission has recently circulated to the EC plant health standing committee draft proposals for Community measures which would have this effect.