§ Mr. Harold Walkerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to prohibit the use of agricultural insecticides containing lethal synthetic poisons, and particularly those based on organo-phosphorous compounds.
§ Mr. HoyMost of the insecticides now on the market in this and other countries are based on synthetic compounds. Under the Pesticides Safety Precautions Scheme, the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and other Toxic Chemicals and its Scientific Sub-Committee have examined comprehensive data on the oral and dermal toxicity and the neurotoxic properties of agricultural insecticides on sale here which contain organophosphorous compounds. Insecticides are only cleared under the scheme if the Committee is satisfied on the toxic hazards involved.