§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much his Department plans to spend on research into the control of the varroa parasite in each of the next three years. [43398]
§ Mr. RookerCommitted expenditure on research into the control of the varroa parasite over the next three years is as follows:
- 1998–99: £215,109
- 1999–2000: £240,118
- 2000–01: £122,813.
Requirements for further research will be considered as these projects near completion.
§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what subsidies under the Common Agricultural Policy are available to bee-keepers; and if he will make a statement; [43394]
(2) how much money he received from the European Commission to support bee-keeping in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; [43400]
248W(3) what regulations cover the distribution of funds allocated by the European Commission to bee-keeping. [43402]
§ Mr. RookerCouncil Regulation 1221/97 to improve the production and marketing of honey provides for reimbursement of up to 50 per cent. of Member States' expenditure on certain measures including technical assistance to bee-keepers and control of varroa and related diseases. The main aim of the Regulation is to alleviate the burden on industry caused by varroa. Commission Regulation 2300/97 (as amended) lays down the detailed rules to implement 1221/97.
The UK hopes to receive around 680,000 ecu (roughly £474,000) for 1997–98. This is the first year such funding has been available.
§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what the funding allocated by the European Commission in 1997 to support bee-keeping in the United Kingdom will be spent on; [43401]
(2) how much of the funding allocated by the European Commission in 1997 to support bee-keeping in the United Kingdom has been distributed to bee-keepers in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland. [43403]
§ Mr. RookerFunds requested from the European Commission will be used partly to finance the Governments' bee health programme. In particular, this will cover inspection and testing arrangements for varroa, training and advice on bee husbandry and research and development. No funds have yet been received.
§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations his Department has received concerning the funding allocated by the European Commission in 1997 to support bee-keeping in the United Kingdom; [43395]
(2) what representations his Department has received concerning the use of public funds to research the varroa parasite. [43396]
§ Mr. RookerWe have received a number of representations on these issues.