§ Lord Moranasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the Scottish Environment Protection Agency are licensing the use of the persistent and toxic pesticide Ivermectin in Scottish salmon farms to control sea lice and whether this will put at risk crustaceans, invertebrates and fish in those waters.
76WA
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (The Earl of Lindsay)The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has indicated that it has adopted a policy under which it is prepared under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 to grant discharge consent under certain strict conditions in respect of Ivermectin use for the control of sea lice in farmed salmon. I understand that the agency considers it would on balance be of benefit to the environment to phase out the main existing treatment for sea lice—that is, the use of dichlorvos. I understand the purpose of this policy is to gather adequate information on the environmental effects of Ivermectin and accordingly such consents would only be granted under strict conditions on a two-year trial basis.
My right honourable friend the Secretary of State has received a number of requests to call in certain applications for such discharge consent for his own determination. This matter is being given careful consideration.