§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research is being sponsored by his Ministry into the damage caused by, and control of, the metogethes, or pollen beetle; whether such research will be affected by the transfer of responsibility for funding from the public to the private sector; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ryder[holding answer 9 December 1988]: My Department is supporting work by the Agricultural and 436W Food Research Council (AFRC) on the pollen beetle as part of a research programme on the ecology, behaviour and control of pests of oilseed rape. The Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (ADAS) is also monitoring the pollen beetle under the pest monitoring service and for crop intelligence reports. A very small proportion of the AFRC work and most of the ADAS work is regarded as appropriate for industry funding and we are seeking such support for it.