§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the proposals put to his Department by the Agriculture and Food Research Council Institute at Rorthamsted on aphid research and aphid surveys.
§ Mr. CurryA number of proposals have been put to my Department on aphid research and surveys. The importance of aphids as crop pests is fully appreciated but all research proposals have to be judged not only on their individual merits but according to the priority of Ministry requirements. The chief scientist has now given approval in principle for the funding of one proposal on aphid surveys linked to studies of climate change.