§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many incidents of rhizomania have been reported in the United Kingdom in the last three years; and what action he has taken to combat the disease.
§ Mr. CurryTwo cases of rhizomania were found in 1989 and three cases, on adjoining farms, in 1990. These cases, which were all in Norfolk, were identified in the extensive survey for rhizomania which we carry out annually. The only previous identification of the disease in this country was at a farm in Suffolk in 1987.
We operate a range of controls, including import controls, to combat this disease. Where it is found, we require strict hygiene measures to prevent spread of the disease by movements off the farm and restrictions are placed on cropping on the farm. These normally involve grassing down infected fields, some limitations on root crops on other parts of the farm and a ban on growing sugar beet or planting material. The exact nature of these restrictions will depend on the circumstances of the case.