§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many bee disease officers have been employed, full or part-time, by his Department in each of the last three years; what their duties have been; what has been the cost of running the service; and if he has any plans to review the present arrangements.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonBees officers are employed seasonally, normally for six months of the year. Their duties are to inspect bee colonies for fool broud, and to take necessary follow-up action. The numbers of officers employed and the direct costs of this inspection work for the last three seasons are as follows. The reduction in 1988 reflects the decision to cease routine inspections about which beekeeping associations were informed in September 1987. These arrangements are kept under regular review.