1-20 of 246 results for subject:Diseases
Librarians' tools
- Search time
- 0.507 seconds
- Solr query time
- 0.005 seconds
- Search query
- subject:Diseases
- We searched for
- subject_t:Diseases OR subject_t:Epidemics OR subject_t:"Health conditions" OR subject_t:Illnesses OR subject_t:"Medical conditions" OR subject_t:"Medical disorders" OR subject_t:Pandemics OR subject_t:Syndromes OR subject_ses:90934
Answering member
X
Lord Rooker
Type
House
Session
Year
Department
Member
More
Primary member
More
Answering member
Rooker, Lord (246)
More
Legislative stage
Legislation
Subject
More
Publisher
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are increasing their research programme into honeybee diseases in the light of the state of the bee population.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are increasing their research programme into honeybee diseases in the light of the state of the bee population.
Asked by
Baroness Byford
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
14 July 2008
An additional £90,000 has been allocated to the National Bee Unit this financial year to expand investigations started last year under a horizon scanning project into significant colony losses and to meet the demand for increased inspections of bee imports consequential to the colony losses.
Research priorities are addressed in the draft Bee Health Strategy, which has recently been published for public consultation. Commissioned research in later years will be considered in the light of priorities identified in the agreed strategy and the resources available from Defra and elsewhere.
Subjects
Finance; Diseases; Research; Bees
Date
14 July 2008
Reference
4627; 703 c105WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:What funding was allocated into honeybee disease research in each of the past seven years.
asked Her Majesty's Government:What funding was allocated into honeybee disease research in each of the past seven years.
Asked by
Baroness Byford
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
9 July 2008
I refer the noble Baroness to the reply given to the honourable Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander) on 3 June, (Official Report, col. 855W.)
Subjects
Finance; Diseases; Research; Bees
Date
9 July 2008
Reference
4626; 703 c83WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Mr Ben Bradshaw, on 15 September 2004 (Official Report, Commons, col. 1578W), whether the Forestry Commission has undertaken any further investigation into the incidence of Sudden Oak Death syndrome; and...
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Mr Ben Bradshaw, on 15 September 2004 (Official Report, Commons, col. 1578W), whether the Forestry Commission has undertaken any further investigation into the incidence of Sudden Oak Death syndrome; and...
Asked by
Baroness Byford
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 June 2008
The research agency of the Forestry Commission (Forest Research) has continued investigation into the disease caused by the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum (known as Sudden Oak Death in the USA). These investigations also include another Phytophthora pathogen, recently named P. kernoviae. Only discovered four to five years ago in Britain, both pathogens are considered recent introductions. Both attack the foliage of certain ornamental and understorey shrub species such as Rhododendron, where they produce spores. When heavy infestations of these ““foliar”” hosts occur, nearby trees become infected, resulting in extensive bark killing and even mortality. Beech is very susceptible and is most at risk from both pathogens, but P. ramorum is capable of causing potentially lethal cankers on various trees including southern beech (Nothofagus), turkey oak (Quercus cerris), red oak Q. rubra and sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa). Native oaks show low levels of susceptibility only in laboratory tests and only one individual of sessile oak (Quercus petrea) in woodland has succumbed to a natural P. ramorum infection. Currently, more than 150 P. ramorum outbreaks have been detected on shrubs in gardens and woodlands, mostly in England, but infected trees have only been found at about 10 of those sites. There are about fifty P. kernoviae outbreaks (mainly in Cornwall with a small focus in Wales) but about 20 per cent have affected trees. Efforts at eradicating or containing the disease in woodland concentrates on destroying infected foliar hosts—mainly R. ponticum. However, Forest Research work shows that even when foliar hosts are removed, both pathogens can persist for at least one to three years in soil and litter layers. FR scientists have also shown that both pathogens can be found in debris on footwear, and probably on vehicle tyres, thus providing a mechanism for local spread into new areas.
Subjects
Diseases; Disease control; Plants; Trees; Phytophthora ramorum
Date
10 June 2008
Reference
3829; 702 c96WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made in the development of a vaccine to control squirrel pox, which is common in the grey squirrel population.
asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made in the development of a vaccine to control squirrel pox, which is common in the grey squirrel population.
Asked by
Baroness Byford
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
6 February 2008
A three-year PhD study of the epidemiology and transmission of the disease in grey squirrel started in June 2007 at the Moredun Institute funded by the Scottish Executive. The Wildlife Ark Trust has also raised funding for the first stage of a programme to develop a squirrel pox vaccine for the red squirrel.
Subjects
Diseases; Vaccination; Squirrels
Date
6 February 2008
Reference
1578; 698 c178WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Whitty on 20 January 2004 (WA 135), whether they will update the table in that Answer with further columns to show new cases of sudden oak death virus since then.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Whitty on 20 January 2004 (WA 135), whether they will update the table in that Answer with further columns to show new cases of sudden oak death virus since then.
Asked by
Lord Greaves
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
22 January 2008
The number of outbreaks of Phytophthora ramorum in England and Wales as of May 2007 and in Scotland to December 2007 are detailed below. More up to date information for England and Wales is being collated and will be provided when available.
| Total | Retail and nurseries | Establishing gardens, woods and other wild planting areas | |
| England | |||
| Avon | 4 | 4 | |
| Bedfordshire | 1 | 1 | |
| Berkshire | 5 | 5 | |
| Buckinghamshire | 8 | 8 | |
| Cambridgeshire | 10 | 9 | 1 |
| Cheshire | 29 | 24 | 5 |
| Cleveland | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Cornwall | 91 | 10 | 81 |
| County Durham | 8 | 3 | 5 |
| Cumbria | 13 | 9 | 4 |
| Derbyshire | 9 | 8 | 1 |
| Devon | 16 | 5 | 11 |
| Dorset | 10 | 7 | 3 |
| East Sussex | 10 | 10 | |
| East Yorkshire | 9 | 9 | |
| Essex | 5 | 5 | |
| Gloucestershire | 8 | 8 | |
| Greater Manchester | 11 | 9 | 2 |
| Hampshire | 24 | 18 | 6 |
| Hereford | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 1 | |
| Isle of Wight | 2 | 2 | |
| Kent | 11 | 11 | |
| Lancashire | 35 | 31 | 4 |
| Leicestershire | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| Lincolnshire | 11 | 9 | 2 |
| London | 7 | 7 | |
| Manchester | 3 | 3 | |
| Merseyside | 7 | 7 | |
| Middlesex | 5 | 5 | |
| Norfolk | 10 | 10 | |
| North Yorkshire | 12 | 10 | 2 |
| Northamptonshire | 7 | 7 | |
| Northumberland | 4 | 4 | |
| Nottinghamshire | 3 | 3 | |
| Oxfordshire | 7 | 7 | |
| Shropshire | 7 | 7 | |
| Somerset | 11 | 11 | |
| South Yorkshire | 9 | 9 | |
| Staffordshire | 13 | 11 | 2 |
| Suffolk | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Surrey | 39 | 33 | 6 |
| Telford and Wrekin | 1 | 1 | |
| Tyne and Wear | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Warwickshire | 5 | 5 | |
| West Midlands | 4 | 4 | |
| West Sussex | 49 | 37 | 12 |
| West Yorkshire | 19 | 15 | 4 |
| Wiltshire | 9 | 9 | |
| Worcestershire | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| 586 | 430 | 157 | |
| Wales | |||
| Bridgend | 1 | 1 | |
| Cardiff | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Carmarthenshire | 1 | 1 | |
| Conwy | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Denbighshire | 3 | 3 | |
| Dyfed | 2 | 2 | |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 2 | |
| Gwent | 1 | 1 | |
| Gwynedd | 5 | 5 | |
| Monmouthshire | 5 | 5 | |
| Neath and Port Talbot | 1 | 1 | |
| Newport | 1 | 1 | |
| Pembrokeshire | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Powys | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Swansea | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| Wrexham | 1 | 1 | |
| 39 | 28 | 11 | |
| Scotland (regions) | |||
| Ayrshire | 3 | 3 | |
| Borders | 1 | 1 | |
| Edinburgh and Lothians | 8 | 8 | |
| Fife | 5 | 5 | |
| Forth Valley | 1 | 1 | |
| Glasgow area | 2 | 2 | |
| Grampian | 4 | 4 | |
| Highland | 9 | 6 | 3 |
| Lanarkshire | 3 | 3 | |
| Renfrewshire | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Tayside | 2 | 2 | |
| 42 | 35 | 7 |
Subjects
Diseases; Forests; Horticulture; Plants; Scotland; Wales; Wildlife; Trees; Phytophthora ramorum
Date
22 January 2008
Reference
1337; 698 c40-1WA
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the noble Baroness is quite right that there are threats. The funding has remained the same in the United Kingdom; it is about £1.7 million, excluding funding for research. The same applies for the devolved Administrations. The funding is always under review. We are working, as I have said, on the strategy. An enormous amount of research is going on in the country, not just at the Central Science Laboratory where the National Bee Unit is based but in other academic institutions, as she said. It is true that serious efforts are being put into contingency planning for the Tropilaelaps—I have been practising that word but I still cannot say it—small hive beetle and the European foul brood, which is another disease. We are working on this with the industry because it is important. However, there is no connection between this and what has been happening in the United States. Even the United States does not know why so many colonies have collapsed, although obviously it is looking at this. Our scientists are in very close contact with United States scientists.
My Lords, the noble Baroness is quite right that there are threats. The funding has remained the same in the United Kingdom; it is about £1.7 million, excluding funding for research. The same applies for the devolved Administrations. The funding is always under review. We are working, as I have said, on the strategy. An enormous amount of research is going on in the country, not just at the Central Science Laboratory where the National Bee Unit is based but in other academic institutions, as she said. It is true that serious efforts are being put into contingency planning for the Tropilaelaps—I have been practising that word but I still cannot say it—small hive beetle and the European foul brood, which is another disease. We are working on this with the industry because it is important. However, there is no connection between this and what has been happening in the United States. Even the United States does not know why so many colonies have collapsed, although obviously it is looking at this. Our scientists are in very close contact with United States scientists.
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply and for pointing out that we get much more from bees than simply honey; their contribution to pollinating everything from apples to beans is extremely important. How does Defra intend to co-ordinate the funding between itself, BBSRC and the academic institutions that are undertaking research? Does the Minister agree that the threats to bees from Varroa, foul brood and perhaps the small hive beetle from the Continent are unprecedented and might result in the sort of colony collapse that happened in America, where the bee population was halved? Is he confident that the funding for inspections and research is adequate in the face of those threats?
Subjects
Diseases; Disease control; Bees
Date
19 July 2007
Reference
694 c363-4
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the Government recognise the important contribution of bees as pollinators and the threat posed by pests and pathogens. The bee health programme is led in England and Wales by the National Bee Unit, which monitors bee colonies and investigates pests and disease and cases involving significant losses. The department is currently preparing a draft strategy for bee health and will be consulting stakeholders on the future aims and priorities for the programme.
My Lords, the Government recognise the important contribution of bees as pollinators and the threat posed by pests and pathogens. The bee health programme is led in England and Wales by the National Bee Unit, which monitors bee colonies and investigates pests and disease and cases involving significant losses. The department is currently preparing a draft strategy for bee health and will be consulting stakeholders on the future aims and priorities for the programme.
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
What advice they have received about the health of the United Kingdom’s bee population.
Subjects
Diseases; Disease control; Bees
Date
19 July 2007
Reference
694 c363
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I do not have a list, but resistance to pyrethroid is a common problem. It is important that where resistance is found beekeepers switch to using non-pyrethroid treatments and adapt the principles of integrated pest management. Field test kits for identifying the resistance have been developed by the National Bee Unit for use by bee inspectors and beekeepers. This public good is done by the unit as part of the Central Science Laboratory of Defra.
My Lords, I do not have a list, but resistance to pyrethroid is a common problem. It is important that where resistance is found beekeepers switch to using non-pyrethroid treatments and adapt the principles of integrated pest management. Field test kits for identifying the resistance have been developed by the National Bee Unit for use by bee inspectors and beekeepers. This public good is done by the unit as part of the Central Science Laboratory of Defra.
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Byford
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, does the Minister accept that the first case of resistance to pyrethroid was acknowledged in 2001 in Devon? This has spread extensively across the country. What alternative has been forthcoming and are any approved substances that are not on the recommended list used abroad?
Subjects
Diseases; Disease control; Bees
Date
19 July 2007
Reference
694 c365
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, we do not allow any bees to be imported from the United States. I do not know about the queens, but I know that some bumble bees are imported from Europe for commercial use. So far, we have not experienced a massive downturn in the hives. In fact, there were reports in the spring that there had been one of the most successful winters ever for the bee population. Counting the bee population is not easy, but the estimates for the United Kingdom are that there are 5 billion bees in the winter and 16 billion in the summer.
My Lords, we do not allow any bees to be imported from the United States. I do not know about the queens, but I know that some bumble bees are imported from Europe for commercial use. So far, we have not experienced a massive downturn in the hives. In fact, there were reports in the spring that there had been one of the most successful winters ever for the bee population. Counting the bee population is not easy, but the estimates for the United Kingdom are that there are 5 billion bees in the winter and 16 billion in the summer.
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Winston
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, one of the organisms that have been mentioned is the small hive beetle, Aethina, which can be carried into this country. It is not yet a risk, but it has invaded Canada, the United States and Australia, and it destroys large colonies of bees. Will the Minister say whether bees such as queens are still imported into this country, and does Defra regard that as a threat?
Subjects
Diseases; Disease control; Bees
Date
19 July 2007
Reference
694 c365
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, Defra is on this case.
My Lords, Defra is on this case.
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Dykes
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, in view of the Minister’s impressive grasp of this important matter, will he undertake not to hive this subject off to another department?
Subjects
Diseases; Disease control; Bees
Date
19 July 2007
Reference
694 c365
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, we know that there are 44,000 beekeepers, who are looking after some 274,000 colonies. Of those beekeepers, only 300 are commercial; they look after 40,000 colonies. The number is vast. If anyone wants an excellent example, they should look at the Guardian today, although it has nothing to do with this Question, and see what 14 year-old Philip Schilds is doing in Hackney. He regularly climbs up on to the roof to generate 500 pounds of honey for Hackney Rooftop Honey. With his eight hives, he is looking after a considerable number of bees. His food production is a tribute to youngsters. Honey from urban areas tastes better because the bees get a better variety of flowers than they do from the monotone in the countryside. My noble friend is right. Defra inspections are free, as are the training programmes. They might not always be free but they are currently. This is a public good because of the importance of bees to food production.
My Lords, we know that there are 44,000 beekeepers, who are looking after some 274,000 colonies. Of those beekeepers, only 300 are commercial; they look after 40,000 colonies. The number is vast. If anyone wants an excellent example, they should look at the Guardian today, although it has nothing to do with this Question, and see what 14 year-old Philip Schilds is doing in Hackney. He regularly climbs up on to the roof to generate 500 pounds of honey for Hackney Rooftop Honey. With his eight hives, he is looking after a considerable number of bees. His food production is a tribute to youngsters. Honey from urban areas tastes better because the bees get a better variety of flowers than they do from the monotone in the countryside. My noble friend is right. Defra inspections are free, as are the training programmes. They might not always be free but they are currently. This is a public good because of the importance of bees to food production.
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, does my noble friend agree that there is considerable ignorance about the benefits that bees bring, as the noble Baroness, Lady Miller, said? Does he accept that there is an increasing need for people to understand and perhaps to get involved in beekeeping? A number of people now recognise that keeping bees privately is beneficial not only as a hobby but as a public service. What are the Government doing to promote education about beekeeping and to encourage people to get involved in it?
Subjects
Diseases; Disease control; Bees
Date
19 July 2007
Reference
694 c364
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the closure of Rothamsted’s bee unit was a matter for Rothamsted; it was not an issue of Defra funding, although obviously we use the centre for research. Although there is no longer a team working on bee pathology at Rothamsted, apparently a group of researchers still studies bee behaviour, pollination and conservation. In addition, at a recent meeting of the British Beekeepers Association, it became clear to our officials that a vibrant group of researchers in England Wales is studying different aspects of bees. To the best of my knowledge, we are not short of bee research.
My Lords, the closure of Rothamsted’s bee unit was a matter for Rothamsted; it was not an issue of Defra funding, although obviously we use the centre for research. Although there is no longer a team working on bee pathology at Rothamsted, apparently a group of researchers still studies bee behaviour, pollination and conservation. In addition, at a recent meeting of the British Beekeepers Association, it became clear to our officials that a vibrant group of researchers in England Wales is studying different aspects of bees. To the best of my knowledge, we are not short of bee research.
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Thomas of Winchester
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, would the Minister’s department consider funding the very exciting research being done at Rothamsted into the development of biological pesticides to control Varroa? That might cost around £660,000 over three years, but it is a drop in the ocean if such control can help to sustain crop pollination in the EU to the tune of about £4 billion a year.
Subjects
Diseases; Disease control; Bees
Date
19 July 2007
Reference
694 c365
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
What advice they have received about the health of the United Kingdom’s bee population.
What advice they have received about the health of the United Kingdom’s bee population.
Asked by
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
19 July 2007
Answered on
19 July 2007
My Lords, the Government recognise the important contribution of bees as pollinators and the threat posed by pests and pathogens. The bee health programme is led in England and Wales by the National Bee Unit, which monitors bee colonies and investigates pests and disease and cases involving significant losses. The department is currently preparing a draft strategy for bee health and will be consulting stakeholders on the future aims and priorities for the programme.
Subjects
Diseases; Disease control; Bees
Date
19 July 2007
Reference
694 c363
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the inquiries that they pursue in the event of outbreaks of non-United Kingdom animal diseases include seeking to recover costs from any person who is deemed to be responsible.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the inquiries that they pursue in the event of outbreaks of non-United Kingdom animal diseases include seeking to recover costs from any person who is deemed to be responsible.
Asked by
Duke of Montrose
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
4 June 2007
Yes. We always carry out investigations into the reasons behind outbreaks of exotic notifiable disease (that is, those not endemic to the United Kingdom). Where there is evidence of non-compliance with animal health legislation, the appropriate authority will consider whether legal proceedings should be instigated and this includes the recovery of costs. Where there is a failure to act in a reasonable manner to control disease, my department will also seek to recover its disease control costs.
My department is working with the livestock industry on how the roles, responsibilities and costs of providing animal health and welfare could be balanced better. The scope of the work includes the strengthening of the available steps where there are failures in responsibility.
Subjects
Animals; Diseases; Disease control; Recovery of costs
Date
4 June 2007
Reference
3837; 692 c145WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the level of grant-funded research being carried out into squirrel pox and immunocontraception in mammals; and what grant-funded research is currently taking place.
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the level of grant-funded research being carried out into squirrel pox and immunocontraception in mammals; and what grant-funded research is currently taking place.
Asked by
Lord Inglewood
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 May 2007
The Scottish Executive are fundinga three-year squirrel pox virus research project to establish factors in the transmission of the virusand how it is replicated within the body of infected animals. The project will begin this June at a total cost of £300,000.
The UK Red Squirrel Group is actively seeking to encourage new partners in developing and funding appropriate squirrel pox research proposals.
My department is funding a three-year project to examine the effectiveness and potential side effectsof fertility control as a means of managing over-abundant wildlife populations. The project is to establish proof of concept for birds and mammals and three main species are being used to test the technique: wild boar, grey squirrel and ring-necked parakeet. This project is costing £993,000. Additionally, the Forestry Commission is providing £40,000 for work on grey squirrel. To date, immunocontraceptive vaccines have been tested only on wild boar and only by injection. This project is due to end on 31 March 2008. It had been intended to test vaccines on grey squirrels but the development of oral baiting systems has not progressed sufficiently and therefore preliminary trials on another type of fertility control agent have been initiated. The work on this project is still at a relatively early stage and further research is likely to be required to fully evaluate fertility control as a viable management technique.
Subjects
Animals; Contraceptives; Diseases; Grants; Pest control; Research; Squirrels
Date
21 May 2007
Reference
3648; 692 c68-9WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have assessed the possible causes of colony collapse disorder (CCD) among honey bees; whether they have estimated the economic and environmental cost of CCD occurring inthe United Kingdom; what research they are undertaking to improve their understanding of CCD; and what contingencies they have in...
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have assessed the possible causes of colony collapse disorder (CCD) among honey bees; whether they have estimated the economic and environmental cost of CCD occurring inthe United Kingdom; what research they are undertaking to improve their understanding of CCD; and what contingencies they have in...
Asked by
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
16 May 2007
Colony collapse disorder (CCD)is a generic name given to a number of majorcolony losses reported by no more than around60 commercial bee farmers spread across 25 states in the USA. Currently, the UK is not suffering from similar bee health-related problems on the same scale. Nevertheless, the National Bee Unit (NBU) at Defra's central science laboratory is maintaining close contact with researchers from the USA who are investigating possible causes. Although it is not possible to develop contingency plans for unknown threats, the NBU's activities are devoted to identifying new threats and mitigating the impact of known pests and diseases.
A 2001 economic evaluation of Defra's bee health programme estimated the value of honey bees to commercial pollination at approximately £120 million, although changes in crop areas and values suggest that the value may now be lower. No valuation of the role of honey bees in relation to the pollination of wild plants is available.
Subjects
Crops; Costs; Diseases; Research; Bees
Date
16 May 2007
Reference
3704; 692 c41WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will support further research into the varroa mite to assist in further understanding honey bee colony collapse disorder.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will support further research into the varroa mite to assist in further understanding honey bee colony collapse disorder.
Asked by
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
16 May 2007
The term colony collapse disorder is being used in the USA to describe cases in which some very large scale commercial operations have lost a high percentage of their hives. A wide range of possible causes are being investigated by researchers in the USA.
There have been widely reported, but isolated, cases in the UK in which beekeepers have lost a high percentage of their bee colonies. However, overall percentage losses are similar to previous years, albeit reflecting the gradual increase seen in the past five years.
The National Bee Unit provides training and advice to beekeepers on the control of the varroa mite. If widespread colony collapse in the UK was attributed to failure of control methods, the need for further research to develop new control methods would be considered along with other research priorities.
Subjects
Diseases; Disease control; Research; Bees
Date
16 May 2007
Reference
3706; 692 c42WA
House
House of Lords
Why they have not compensated the 33 fish farmers in Yorkshire who have been affected by movement restrictions due to viral haemorrhagic septicaemia, when only one farm was found to be infected, bearing in mind that other European Union countries have offered compensation in similar circumstances.
Why they have not compensated the 33 fish farmers in Yorkshire who have been affected by movement restrictions due to viral haemorrhagic septicaemia, when only one farm was found to be infected, bearing in mind that other European Union countries have offered compensation in similar circumstances.
Asked by
Baroness Byford
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
9 October 2006
It is not this department’s policy to pay compensation to fish farmers affected by movement restrictions due to an outbreak of serious fish disease. When viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) was confirmed on a farm in North Yorkshire on 26 May, movement controls were placed on the area we considered initially to be at risk from the spread of the disease. Following an extensive round of sampling and testing of farmed and wild fish and other epidemiological investigations, we were able to announce a reduction in the size of the area under restriction on 10 August. The immediate effect of this was to enable the majority of the 33 farms originally affected by the controls to resume normal trade in live fish. Throughout this period we worked closely with fish farmers and their representatives to minimise the impact of controls by allowing certain movements where scientific evidence suggested that it was safe to do so.
As a general policy on animal health issues, we are moving towards greater cost-sharing with industry. In line with this principle, we have asked industry to consider the establishment of a hardship fund to assist farmers most acutely affected by disease control arrangements. We will look closely at any such initiative, including the possibility of providing some form of assistance to help pump prime a fund.
Subjects
Compensation; Diseases; Disease control; Fish; Transport; Fish farming
Date
9 October 2006
Reference
7244; 685 c36WA
House
House of Lords
What estimate they have made of the potential for third countries to check birds for diseases before they are imported into the United Kingdom; and whether this information will be used to limit imports from countries that do not meet certain criteria.
What estimate they have made of the potential for third countries to check birds for diseases before they are imported into the United Kingdom; and whether this information will be used to limit imports from countries that do not meet certain criteria.
Asked by
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
5 June 2006
Live animals or animal products imported into the European Union (EU) may only originate from a third country approved by the European Commission. Approval is considered on a country by country basis after certain criteria have been met. These include:"the state of health of the livestock, other domestic animals and wildlife in the third country, particular attention being paid to exotic animal diseases and to the environmental health situation in that country;""the country’s rules and policies relating to imports of live animals and related products;""the country’s measures to control and prevent the spread of animal disease."
Live animals and animal products imported into the EU from third countries must be accompanied by health certification signed by an official veterinarian in the country of export.
All live animals arriving from countries outside the EU must undergo further checks at approved border inspection posts by a certified EU veterinarian.
Subjects
Birds; Diseases; Disease control; Imports; Testing
Date
5 June 2006
Reference
5812; 682 c150-1WA
House
House of Lords
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Waveney of 9th March, 327 c193W, on the Cattle Health Scheme, if he will provide an update on the future of the Cattle Health Scheme.
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Waveney of 9th March, 327 c193W, on the Cattle Health Scheme, if he will provide an update on the future of the Cattle Health Scheme.
Asked by
Bob Blizzard
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 July 1999
For answer on
27 July 1999
Answered on
27 July 1999
Mr. Blizzard: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Waveney of 9
March 1999, Official Report, column 193, on the Cattle Health Scheme, if he will provide an update on the future of the Cattle
Health Scheme. [93926]
Mr. Rooker: Under new animal health trade rules agreed during the last UK Presidency of the EU Council, a case requesting
designation of Great Britain as officially EBL-Free was submitted to the EU Commission in May. The Standing Veterinary Committee
voted in favour of a Commission Decision granting the status to Great Britain on 2 July. It came into effect on 1 July. The Decision
also retained EBL-Free status for Northern Ireland. From 1 July 1999 all herds in GB are to be regarded as officially EBL-Free
unless the presence of the disease is suspected in a particular herd.
The Cattle Health Scheme attests herds as being individually free of EBL, so may not be needed now that GB freedom is achieved.
Officials are writing to all members of the Scheme and to the cattle industry to consult them on the future of the Scheme. The
formal acknowledgement of our EBL-Free status from the EU is good news for farmers and will reduce bureaucracy. We will of course
maintain controls on cattle imports in accordance with EU rules.
Subjects
Animal welfare; Cattle; Diseases; Disease control; EU action; Northern Ireland; EC Agriculture Council; EU Standing Veterinary Committee; Enzootic bovine leukosis
Date
27 July 1999
Reference
336 c369-70W; 93926
House
House of Commons