§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what response he has given to the submission on changed risk of insect damage in a changed climate from AFRC Rothamsted; and what funds are available for this work;
(2) if he will list the projects contributing to the study of changes in the (a) abundance of, and (b) development of potential pest problem insects, as a result of climatological change or global warming.
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§ Mr. MacleanThe Department has advised the AFRC's Rothamsted experimental station that funds amounting to some £100,000 are to be set aside over three years for research there on any change in the risk of insect damage in a changed climate. Work on this project, which was submitted in response to a request by my chief scientists group as an initial step in the Department's programme of research in this area, is due to start in 1991–92.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates his Department has made of the need for aphid identifiers over the next decade; and what steps he is taking to make financial provision for such training.
§ Mr. MacleanNo staff of this description are employed by the Ministry. Entomologists are employed in a number of capacities and their deployment and training are kept under review.