Written question asked by Candy Atherton (Labour) on Monday, 28 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 7 May 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 May 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 research her Department has undertaken to combat Varroa mites. - Inc figures.

Answer: Ms Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has undertaken to combat varroa mites. [110867] Mr. Morley: The Government have funded a number of research projects to combat the varroa mite since it was first discovered in the UK. Currently, Defra is funding a 3-year project that extends an earlier MAFF-funded investigation by Horticulture Research International (HRI) on the use of entomopathogenic fungi as a biological control of varroa. HRI is undertaking this project in collaboration with IACR Rothamsted. It is due to terminate in 2005 and is expected to cost some £323,000.

Secondary information