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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 action she has taken to deal with the threat from Varroa mites; and if she will make a statement; what action she and her European Union counterparts have taken to deal with Varroa mites.
Answer

Ms Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what action she has taken to deal with the threat from Varroa mites; and if she will make a statement; [110868] (2) what action she and her European Union counterparts have taken to deal with varroa mites. [111004] Mr. Morley: varroa has been the most significant threat to UK beekeeping since it was first detected in Devon in 1992. Defra funds a programme of bee health measures to assist the beekeeping sector, the cost of which was around £1.3 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 beekeepers in England as well as training and technical advice to help them become more self-reliant through improved bee husbandry. In addition, the NBU has been carrying out routine screening throughout England and Wales for varroa mites that are resistant to authorised treatments, having first detected them in August 2001. To date, resistance remains isolated to certain areas of Devon and Cornwall. However, the NBU's advice to beekeepers is to remain alert to the threat of further spread and to report any suspected cases to them. At EU level, Council Regulation (EC) No. 1221-97 provides for Member States to assist the beekeeping sector to improve the production and marketing of honey by alleviating the burden placed on it by varroa. The EU reimburses up to 50 per cent. of Member States' expenditure on certain beekeeping measures. In the past year, the UK has received £324,000 under these measures for approved actions taken to combat varroa. The main thrust of most Member States' programmes is, like the UK, to support the control of varroa through technical advice, the provision of diagnostic services and R&D.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
404 c722W;404 c718W; 110868;111004
Session
2002-03
Subjects
EU action Pest control Beekeeping Varroosis Bees Pests
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk