HC Deb 01 February 1996 vol 270 cc1110-1
6. Ms Quin

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what new proposals he has concerning the use of chemicals on foodstuffs. [11270]

Mrs. Browning

Our controls are constantly reviewed in the light of scientific developments.

Ms Quin

Have the Government any new proposals to inform consumers about the chemical and pesticide treatment that may have been applied to fresh fruit and vegetables—apples, potatoes and carrots, for example? Why is it that, although consumers are rightly entitled to detailed information about what is in processed and packaged foods, they are given almost no information about fresh fruit and vegetables?

Mrs. Browning

I am pleased to say that today I announced the establishment of a pesticides forum—that was a commitment in the rural White Paper—which will bring together interested parties, and which will naturally include consumers. I hope that the forum will help to put more information into the public domain. I shall send the hon. Lady a copy of the press release that went out today.

Mr. Lord

The EC directive on nitrates in drinking water is causing great concern to my farming constituents in Suffolk. Does my hon. Friend realise just how little evidence there is of the way in which nitrate levels in drinking water affect human health? Is she aware of the great problems that nitrate-vulnerable zones will cause Suffolk farmers? May I urge her and her colleagues, as a matter of the greatest urgency, first to look at the way in which the system will be introduced—because it is flawed and will cause great problems—and secondly to consider whether we need this mad directive in the first place? That is even more important. In fact, nitrates are not doing a great deal of harm.

Mrs. Browning

The Ministry receives scientific advice from independent expert committees. I am sure that, if my hon. Friend has further scientific evidence that he wishes us to consider, we shall be pleased to receive it.

Mr. Skinner

Have the Government noted the campaign to stop the use of the pesticide Lindane? A number of reports suggest a direct link with breast cancer. In Lincolnshire, the incidence rate is one in eight, whereas I believe that it is about one in 12 in the rest of the country. There is evidence that where Lindane has been banned—in Israel, for example—the rate has fallen dramatically. If that is the case, will the Ministry re-examine the position with a view to banning the pesticide?

Mrs. Browning

I am happy to assure the hon. Gentleman that we always consider scientific advice and the sort of information that he has brought before the House. I reiterate that our decisions are based on scientific advice, and therefore I assure him that I shall look at the matter again to see whether there is anything new that we have yet to consider.