Written question asked by David Curry (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 November 2004. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 November 2004 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 programme of inspection of bee colonies for (a) European foulbrood and (b) American foulbrood is planned following the proposed removal of statutory control on European foulbrood.

Answer: Mr. Curry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what programme of inspection of bee colonies for (a) European foul brood and (b) American foul brood is planned following the proposed removal of statutory control on European foul brood. [196972] Alun Michael: Following a firm decision to remove statutory controls on European foul brood inspections would no longer be targeted on this disease, although inspectors would continue to offer advice on its control as they do at present for other serious but non-statutory diseases. The inspection programme would be planned to maximise control of American foul brood which is more serious, less widespread and unlike European foul brood does not lend itself to control through husbandry techniques.

Secondary information