Written question asked by James Paice (Conservative) on Thursday, 23 May 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 June 2002. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Monday, 10 June 2002 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support she offers the bee keeping industry in relation to bee disease; and if she will make a statement. - Inc figure.

Answer: Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support she offers the bee keeping industry in relation to bee disease; and if she will make a statement. [60320] Mr. Morley: The Department takes very seriously the threat to honeybees from pests and diseases and is funding a range of measures to protect bee health, at a cost of around £1.4 million in 2002-03. Under these measures, the National Bee Unit (NBU), part of the Central Science Laboratory, provides a free diagnostic and inspection service to the beekeeping sector in England as well as training and education to help beekeepers become more self-reliant through improved bee husbandry.

Secondary information