§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action has been taken following the recent discovery of rhizomonia virus in soil attached to imported nursery stock.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonDiscussion have taken place between my Department and the plant health authorities in the Netherlands, and agreement has been rached that exports of nursery stock from the Netherlands to the United Kindom should come only from rhizomania-free areas. Measures have also been agreed which will reduce to a minimum the possibility of contamination of the soil in those areas by rhizomania virus originating elsewhere. My Department and the Dutch authorities will remain in close touch with each other. I am grateful to the Government of the Netherlands for the understanding they have shown of Her Majesty's Government's concern over this matter.