HC Deb 03 July 1961 vol 643 cc987-9
20. Mrs. Butler

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what regulations he intends to introduce to control the use of toxic chemicals in seed dressings, following his recent meeting with bird preservation societies and other interested organisations.

21. Mr. Corfield

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what conclusions he has reached about the future use of toxic cereal seed dressings, following on the survey this spring into reported cases of deaths of birds.

Mr. Soames

The Report of the survey which we have been carrying out was discussed at a meeting on 29th June with all the interested organisations. The Report shows that the widespread occurrence of deaths has been confined to springtime and that the main trouble could be obviated by not using dressings containing dieldrin, aldrin and heptachlor for spring sowings. Accordingly, it has been agreed that from 1st January next, these dressings will not be used at all for spring sown grain, and they will only be used for dressing autumn and winter wheat where there is a real danger of attack from wheat bulb fly.

These arrangements will operate under the terms of the Notification of Pesticides Scheme, and will not involve regulations. It has also been agreed that my Department will continue its survey and that a further meeting will be held in June of next year to see how the arrangements have worked.

The Government accept these recommendations which have been agreed by all the organisations concerned. I would like to thank these organisations for all the help they have given us in handling this problem in a way I hope will resolve it. I am placing a copy of the survey Report in the Library.

Mrs. Butler

While welcoming the agreement for a limited control of toxic chemicals in the spring of next year, may I ask whether the Minister appreciates that there will be considerable concern because the controls suggested are to be voluntary and apparently the controls for autumn-sown dressings are not to be enforced? In view of the importance of making sure that these controls work effectively, will he consider increasing the facilities and personnel of the Pest Infestation Control laboratories in order that they can observe what happens and make recommendations urgently, if necessary?

Mr. Soames

It has been our practice that in the first instance we try to deal with matters of this kind by voluntary agreement. This has worked exceedingly well in the past. An example is the use of arsenites for spraying potatoes, which are not now used. That was done voluntarily. All the information which we have received from this survey shows that the bulk of the deaths of birds occurs in the spring and not during the autumn. There is the problem of the wheat bulb fly which cannot be properly safeguarded against except by the use of these chemicals. We believe that these arrangements will work. If they do not work, we shall have to think again whether it will be necessary to bring in some statutory provisions, because we cannot have a continuation of the state of affairs which has existed this year. But I hope and believe that it will not be necessary to do so and that the arrangement will work. I was asked about the continuance of our survey. I believe that there is sufficient staff to continue this survey, but if there is any trouble in that respect I will look at it.

Sir G. Nicholson

My right hon. Friend is always courteous and I do not intend to be discourteous to him, but is he not aware that all evidence so far shows that his Ministry has been woefully misinformed on the extent and gravity of the situation? Have not some of the manufacturers shown a callous disregard of the preservation of wild life? Will he look once more at the question whether these voluntary inspections and regulations work? Past history seems to show that they do not. Is he further aware that the Estimates Committee has reported to the House in very strong terms on the matter and will he carefully consider its recommendations?

Mr. Soames

Yes, Sir. I will carefully consider the Committee's recommendations. On the general issue whether these voluntary schemes have or have not worked, my information is that they have worked, and the arsenites are a very good example. My belief is that these arrangements, which have been agreed by all the parties concerned, including the representatives of the manufacturers, will work.