§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to prevent the spread of Rhizomania in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [82662]
§ Mr. RookerThe Government apply statutory controls to minimise the spread of rhizomania, including a prohibition on the growing of beet on any fields where the disease has been found. Controls are applied to certain types of products brought into the UK, such as seed potatoes, to minimise the risk of further introductions of the disease. These arrangements are applied in accordance with the United Kingdom's status as a 'protected zone' for rhizomania under the EC plant health regime. The Government will be seeking an EC decision to continue the protected zone, which under existing legislation is due to expire on 1 November 1999.