§ 32. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of widespread concern about the use of poisonous sprays on the land; whether it was by his authority that two officials of his Department took part in a Press conference arranged by a commercial firm to promote the use of its pesticides; and whether he will make a statement of Government policy on the use of poisonous sprays.
§ Mr. John HareCertainly, this subject has been receiving a good deal of attention. The purpose of the Press conference referred to, which my officials were authorised to attend, was not to promote the use of the organisers' products but to outline methods of pesticide safety—an object which I shall take every opportunity to encourage. The policy of the Government is to ensure that risks from toxic chemicals are reduced to a minimum, while recognising their great value and importance to modern agriculture.
§ Mr. DoddsIn view of the great importance of these poisonous sprays and the fact that one official stated that as a consequence of experiments he sought to allay fears about them, would it not be much better to give the explanations in this House? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman now give some further information on this business of poisonous sprays, or is there still a long way to go before he knows the answer?
§ Mr. HareI have given a great deal of information to the House, as I think the hon. Member will recognise. In conjunction with the industry, I have also taken action on dealing with arsenite sprays. As I think the hon. Member knows, we have strengthened the Committee on Poisonous Substances by the inclusion of five outside scientists, and a special inquiry is also being set up to report to my noble Friend the Lord Privy Seal and Minister for Science, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself on this subject. I assure the hon. Member that a great deal of thought and trouble has been taken on this matter and that I shall keep the House informed.