Written question asked by David Lidington (Conservative) on Monday, 15 September 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 October 2003. It was answered by Baroness Beckett (Labour) on Monday, 6 October 2003 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 study her Department has made into the incidence of phytophthora ramorum in wild-growing rhododendron ponticum. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what study her Department has made into the incidence of Phytophthora ramorum in wild-growing Rhododendron ponticum. [130852] Margaret Beckett: In collaboration with the Forestry Commission, English Nature, and the Countryside Commission for Wales, Defra are currently undertaking a survey of a sample of areas of wild-growing Rhododendron ponticum in order to establish the extent of the presence of Phytophthora ramorum and the likely impact on our native flora. To date 56 such sites have been inspected for the presence of the organism but it has been found on only two sites, both of which are in the area of an existing confirmed outbreak.

Secondary information