Committee visits laboratory investigating ash dieback
5 September 2013
MPs on the EFRA Committee will visit York on Thursday 12 September to learn more about the research of Government scientists working on tree health at the Sand Hutton laboratories of the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera).
The visit forms part of the Committee’s ongoing inquiry into Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity. MPs will discuss research into plant diseases including Ash Dieback (Chalara fraxinea). They will also hear about the range of Fera’s work—from testing for contamination of meat products to the sustainable management of honey bees.
Commenting ahead of the visit Anne McIntosh, the Chair of EFRA Committee, and Yorkshire MP for Thirsk and Malton, said:
“We are delighted to be visiting Fera’s Sand Hutton site to see first-hand the efforts being made by scientists to improve tree and plant health in the UK, and to protect consumers from contaminated meat.
“Our visit emphasises the value of top quality research, such as that undertaken by Fera scientists, in informing Government action. Our discussions will form an important part of our inquiry into how policy can be improved to help prevent the spread of Ash Dieback and other tree diseases across the country."
MPs will also visit the Environment Agency in York on the morning of 12 September to discuss its response to the floods of the past 12 months and to hear about future flood prevention efforts.
Further details of the Committee’s inquiries can be found on the inquiry page of the Committee’s website
