Written question asked by Lady Hermon (Ulster Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 3 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 December 2003. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Thursday, 11 December 2003 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to prevent the spread of ring rot to Northern Ireland.

Answer: Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to prevent the spread of ring rot to Northern Ireland. [142672] Mr. Pearson: The recent finding of potato ring rot in Wales poses a significant threat to the potato industry in Northern Ireland. Stringent preventative measures are already in place to minimise the risk of this disease spreading to Northern Ireland. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has increased its existing preventative actions. Its response to the current incident has included: checking and sampling of crops produced from GB seed potatoes this year; further targeted sampling of GB seed potatoes due to be planted in Northern Ireland in 2004; increased monitoring by inspectors at the ports of Belfast, Larne and Warrenpoint of all seed and ware potato imports; increased inspections at premises of importers and processors, including inspections of stocks and checks on sources and reliability; the issue of letters to merchants and importers seeking information on imports. Letters will also be sent to all growers; and meetings with stakeholder representatives and key industry individuals to provide scientific information on the disease and advice on new preventative measures.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 142672; 415 c579W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Diseases Disease control Imports Northern Ireland Publicity Monitoring Potatoes Testing Seed potatoes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk