Crispin Blunt MP for Reigate replied immediately and wrote to Margaret Becket at DEFRA. Lord Witty, Minister for food, farming and waterways, replied to Mr Blunt from DEFRA and sent copies to the FSA and the FSCS. You can see the letters below.

I have heard of one response from Edward Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton.He has invited one of our members to his constituency clinic to discuss the issues.

The FSA does have discresion as to the charges it levies on BDI. It is up to you to keep up the pressure and embarrass them into realising their mistake. Write to your MP, writetoMargaret Beckett, write to Lord Witty, and write to the FSA/FSCS.

If the FSA succeeds in destroying BDI we will have an excellent case for demanding that DEFRA pick up the bill for compensating beekeepers when diseased colonies are destroyed, as with foot and mouth disease.