§ Mr. FlightTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans Her Majesty's Government have(a) to ban the use of methyl bromide as a chemical agent for the purposes of sterilising soil and grain stores and (b) to ensure that a replacement product is available. [61180]
§ Mr. RookerThe Government are bound by the timetable laid down in the Montreal Protocol to reduce or phase-out substances such as methyl bromide which deplete the ozone layer. The Protocol was last amended in September 1997 when it was agreed, for developed countries, to cut production and use of methyl bromide by 50 per cent. by 2001, 70 per cent. by 2003 and phase out by 2005. The Protocol exempts quarantine and preshipment treatments. All member states of the European Union are signatories to the Protocol, which is currently implemented through Council Regulation (EC) 3093/94.
The European Commission has proposed a draft Regulation imposing a more stringent timetable to cut production and phase-out methyl bromide which is under discussion.
279WImpact Studies have been commissioned by MAFF and DETR on the effect of phase-out in the horticultural, food commodity and structures sectors. Methyl Bromide is an efficient fumigant and for some purposes such as soil sterilisation and the disinfestation of flour mills, there are no ready, single alternatives. A LINK research project to consider alternatives for the horticulture sector commences in April next year. Two further LINK projects covering commodities and structural fumigation are currently under consideration.
Policy responsibility for negotiations and implementation of the Protocol within the UK rests with my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. Further information about the impact of phase out of methyl bromide on the horticulture industry can be found in the ADAS reports "A Review of Methyl Bromide Use in Horticulture (1996)" and "Withdrawal of Methyl Bromide—summary of principle cost implications for UK horticulture (1998)", both of which were commissioned by my Department. (Copies of both reports are available from ADAS or MAFF—Horticulture and Potatoes Division.)