§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has for people wishing to dispose of the herbicide known as 245; and if he will make a statement about its future use.
§ Mr. StrangThe hon. Member is presumably referring to 2, 4, 5—T and I welcome this opportunity of dispelling any unnecessary anxiety about it. This herbicide has been cleared by the expert and independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides and Other Toxic Chemicals and contrary to any impression which may have been conveyed by recent presentation in the media it can safely be used in the recommended way for the recommended purposes. I am particularly concerned to reassure householders who may have containers of the very weak formulation supplied for garden use: they need only take the commonplace and elementary precautions, such as storage out of the reach of children, which are shown on the label.
Those having supplies of 2, 4, 5—T which are surplus to their likely requirements can dispose of them without difficulty and in the ordinary way. For commercial users this means observing the code of practice "Disposal of Unwanted Pesticides and Containers on Farms and Holdings" issued by my Department in conjunction with the British Crop Protection Council. Gardeners and others with small supplies of the diluted product will find guidance in the Department of the Environment's booklet "Disposal of Awkward Household Wastes" under which, for example, the liquid formulation can safety be poured down a toilet or drain and any solid variety can be put in the dustbin.