§ Mr. Allan StewartTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the annual tonnage of bananas imported into the United Kingdom as a percentage of the European Community total in each of the last five years.
694W(3) what has been the incidence of Liriomyza huidobrensis infestation in plants over the last 10 years; and what steps he is taking to counter the problem.
§ Mr. MacleanSo far this year there have been 27 confirmed findings of the South American leafminer, Liriomyza huidobrensis. There were no findings in previous years. The Ministry is maintaining a policy of eradication of this pest to ensure that it does not become established in this country. As regards compensation and controls on the importation of plants from the Netherlands. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 6 December at column248.