This is quite a simple Bill. Its object is to prevent the arrival in this country of the insect known as the Colorado beetle, a pest that attacks potato crops. It has created considerable ravages amongst the potato crops in the United States of America for some years, has now got to France, and is practically endemic in France. France is pretty close to this country, and, while there is no sign whatever that there is any likelihood that this pest will arrive in this country, nevertheless we want to make sure that in the event of any crops being found affected with this particular virus we will be in a position to deal with the matter. Our potato trade is increasing every year and is a very important trade so far as the average farmer is concerned. Some years ago we had a big import of seed potatoes and, in fact, a considerable import of ware potatoes. We have no such imports now. We supply all our own seed. We have radically altered the position: we have quite a considerable export trade, and it is increasing every year. For that reason we consider that every precaution should be taken to enable us to deal with any threat to the purity of our supplies.
We are in a particularly lucky position. Northern Ireland has a very big potato trade, but the farmers there who grow potatoes are at a great disadvantage, in view of the fact that black scab is very widespread in that area. We have it in only two areas, one in Louth and the other in Donegal, and, moreover, we have practically no other potato disease. In view of the fact that the development of the export trade in potatoes has increased very much for the last few years, and that, generally speaking, the growing of potatoes is on the increase, we want to make quite sure that the reputation which we have at present for having pure line varieties and also varieties free from disease is put beyond any doubt whatever. We are afraid that this particular pest has become endemic in France and in other areas quite close to our coast, and that possibly it might show itself in this country, and we propose to take precautions beforehand to deal with it in the event of its arrival.
This Bill provides that, in the event of a crop being found to be affected by disease brought about by this particular pest, the crop may be destroyed and that compensation may be paid. There are other provisions in the Bill, provisions to deal with not only a crop affected, but with the crops of neighbouring farmers. It is well known that if a contagious disease of this sort attacks a crop like potatoes, crops of potatoes grown by neighbouring farmers, while they may be free, may, at the same time, contain the incipient stages of the virus. It is also provided in this Bill that in addition to the provisions which deal with compensation for crops destroyed, there is an arrangement by which neighbouring crops may be inspected and certified. That is really all that is in the Bill.
