Dinoseb (Hansard, 28 January 1988)

§ Mr. Andrew Welsh
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consult the National Farmers Union and local industries in the Angus area, regarding the consequences of his decision to ban the use of Dinoseb.
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§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
We have been in regular contact with the National Farmers Union of Scotland over the last 18 months on the use of Dinoseb. These contacts will continue as necessary. It is not possible at this stage to make any assessment of the likely consequences on local industries of the decision to ban the use of Dinoseb.

§ Mr. Andrew Welsh
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research is being conducted in(a) alternatives to the Glencova variety of raspberry and (b) a replacement for Dinoseb; and if he will produce extra funds for such research.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
Two new raspberry varieties bred with Government support at the Scottish Crop Research Institute are already available to growers. Both show considerable promise as replacements for Glen Clova. Work also funded by Government has been ongoing for some time to find alternative means of controlling cane vigour in Glen Clova. There are no signs of any early breakthrough and the grant-aided work is continuing.

§ Mr. Andrew Welsh
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimates he has of the economic and employment effects on the raspberry and associated industries of his decision to prohibit the use of Dinoseb.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
It is not possible to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the losses that will be caused by raspberry producers and associated industries as a result of the ban on the use of Dinoseb. Much will depend on how farmers and others react to the new situation.
While we appreciate that the decision to ban the use of Dinoseb will have serious consequences for raspberry producers and associated industries, we had no option but to take this decision in the light of the conclusion by the Advisory Committee on Pesticides that Dinoseb and its related products could pose a health risk to people using them.