§ 34. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what study has been made by his Department of pyrethrum as an insecticide; and with what result.
§ Mr. John HareThe properties and uses of pyrethrum as an insecticide have been well known to my Department for many years. Research into its active principles and application to insect pests on growing plants and in stored food has been going on for some time at the appropriate research centres.
The limitations on the use of pyrethrum on agricultural and horticultural crops are that it has so far only been shown to control a small range of insect pests. Its active life is short and its cost relatively high. It is a useful insecticide against household pests and my technical staff recommend it for use in food stores against the warehouse moth.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWould my right hon. Friend agree that pyrethrum is much less harmful than some of the insecticides at present in use?
§ Mr. HareIt may be less harmful but it is also, I am afraid, rather less useful against many types of insects.