§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he is putting into effect to contain bee diseases in 2000. [99441]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 25 November 1999]: The Government fund a range of measures in England through its bee health programme, which is delivered by the Central Science Laboratory's National Bee Unit. In 2000–01 the programme will cost £1.3 million. The measures include a free diagnostic service for varroa, American Foul Brood and European Foul Brood as well as providing training and guidance on how to improve bee husbandry to help control bee diseases. In addition, in 2000–01 MAFF expects to spend around £244,000 on research and development (mainly on varroa) to support our bee health work. This includes a four year project on the biological control of varroa.
Arrangements for bee health matters in Scotland and Wales are the responsibility of the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly respectively.