Vol. 514 No. 6
81 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will report on a case (details supplied) whereby a horticultural producer was obliged by a direction from his Department to destroy all crops due to a leaf miner liriomyza huidobrensis on the crops; and if he will be compensated for his loss in view of the implications for the grower and his family. [4499/00]
The leaf miner liriomyza huidobrensis is a harmful quarantine organism whose movement is banned under EU legislation. In late 1999, following the discovery of the pest in the glasshouse crops of the grower in question, a ban was imposed under Directive 77/93/EEC on the movement of host material. The growers affected were advised that the remaining crops and weeds in the glasshouse should be destroyed and that no host plants should be planted without clearance from my Department. These controls would ensure the speedy eradication of the pest and the lifting of the movement restrictions.
