To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in what species of plant sudden oak death disease has been identified in the UK within the last year. [130612]

As at 16 September 2003, phytophthora ramorum (the cause of the syndrome sudden oak death in the USA) has been confirmed in the following species:Laboratory are employed directly to survey gardens and nurseries for phytophthora ramorum in England and Wales.Five people from outside the Department have been employed on a contractual basis for the period July to October 2003.The cost of employing staff working directly on survey work and of those employed on a contractual basis since 1 January 2003 is estimated at about £400,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of sudden oak death disease have been reported to her Department in the last year. [130614]

Nine confirmed reports from private nurseries and other independent consultants have been received by the Department in the last year.