§ Dr. CableTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he has(a) commissioned and(b) evaluated into the value of pollination activity by bees to British agriculture. [44147]
§ Mr. RookerOver the years, the Government have funded work on the role and benefits of honey bees on crops. More recently, the Ministry asked ADAS for a report on the impact of varroa on the pollination of horticultural crops. The report was produced in September 1996 and revised in January 1998. Copies of both reports have been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to(a) promote training in apiculture and(b) extend the role of his Department's Bee Unit to reflect the agricultural importance of the bee and the threat of disease to the bee population. [44158]
530W
§ Mr. RookerThe Government support the beekeeping sector through the bee health programme which is delivered in England and Wales by the National Bee Unit, part of the Central Science Laboratory. The total UK programme is costing around £1.5 million this year in addition to the cost of research into bee diseases. Education and training are already important elements of the programme and the emphasis is on helping beekeepers to become more self-reliant.
The work of the National Bee Unit was included within the Comprehensive Spending Review, the conclusions of which are to be made public shortly.