§ Mr. Livseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans for further reductions in Agricultural Development Advisory Service beekeeping specialists; and if he will make a statement on the future funding of his Ministry's free diagnostic disease service.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThere are no plans to reduce the number of Agricultural Development and Advisory Service beekeeping specialists. Charging will be introduced on 30 March for certain diagnostic services to beekeepers, details of which have been sent to the Beekeeping associations, but diagnosis of notifiable diseases of bees, namely American Foul Brood, European Foul Brood and Varroasis, will continue to be carried out free of charge.