§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those nations which are members of the European Economic Community which impose more stringent regulations than those adopted by the United Kingdom on the application of pesticides or herbicides in agriculture and horticulture, in each case specifying the prohibitions or standards they apply additional to those of (i) the European Community and (ii) the United Kingdom. [27314]
§ Mrs BrowningThe UK's regulatory system for pesticides, including herbicides, has the objective of protecting people and the environment while ensuring that pesticides are available to those who really need them. As the harmonised Community regime comes into effect, all member states will increasingly work to the same rules. Differences in decisions taken will then be attributable solely to differences in characteristics such as climate and farming practice.