D. CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT COMMITTEE REPORTS
60. PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF HONEY (8TH REPORT, SESSION
1996-97)
Letter from Lord Donoughue, Minister for Farming and
the Food Industry, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food,
to Lord Reay, Chairman of Sub-Committee
I am writing to give the Government's response to the Select
Committee's report of 15 March on the EU proposals regarding the
production and marketing of honey.
We are grateful to the Committee by this balanced and thorough
analysis of the proposals, and we welcome its support for the
general approach the Government has taken on them. I ought, however,
to comment on the Committee's conclusions that the Government
should, in particular, increase R&D on bee disease detection
and control using part-EU funding and collaborate more with beekeeping
associations on a systematic programme of education in best practice.
So far as bee disease detection and control is concerned,
the Agriculture Departments continue to fund a range of measures
to help in this important area. In 1997-98, bee health measures
therein the UK will cost £1.5 million. The range of measures
varies across the UK according to local needs and circumstances;
in general, this includes a free sampling and diagnostic service
for varroa and provision of free advice on bee health issues to
beekeepers. We believe this represents the best use of available
resources to help all beekeepers. In addition the UK is funding
around £200,000 of R&D work relating to varroa. However,
given the current constraints on spending, I cannot see any scope
for increasing this level of funding, bearing in mind that the
proposed EU scheme, as a new measure, will already have an adverse
impact on UK public expenditure.
As regards the education and training of beekeepers, the
Agriculture Departments recognise the importance of this, and
one of the main priorities is to ensure that the Government's
bee health services represent the best use of available resources.
The bee health programme in England and Wales has been developed
over the last three years so that the National Bee Unit field
staff have a firm training remit. They now work even more closely
with the beekeeping community throughout the whole year to raise
awareness and to improve training and information. For example,
the results of the varroa R&D programme are already channelled
to beekeepers through the Regional Bee Inspectors. Research results
are presented to beekeepers locally and nationally on a regular
basis. The Unit has already set up a number of initiatives as
part of its bee health service including having representatives
on the British Bee Keeping Association Education, Husbandry and
Technical Committees which organise courses; joint training programmes
with the British Beekeeping Association and the setting up of
voluntary disease liaison officers amongst local beekeeping associations
to act as helpers for less experienced beekeepers. The Government
considers, therefore, that this recommendation is already being
implemented.
Finally, the Government takes note of the Committee's view
on the offer of the beekeeping associations to co-operate in the
survey of the sector which will be required before any request
for EU assistance can be made. This will be explored further with
the associations.
6 June 1997
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