§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make it his policy to exclude pesticides used in horticulture from the proposed environmental tax on pesticides; and if he will make a statement; [64031]
(2) what estimates he has made of the price elasticity of demand for different types of pesticides during his consideration of the proposed environmental tax on pesticides; and if he will make a statement. [64032]
§ Mr. MealeThe Government have not made a proposal for a pesticide tax. However, my Department has commissioned extensive research into the scope for a pesticide tax or charge, including sectoral usage, consideration of price elasticities of demand for different pesticides, and the impact on users, manufacturers and suppliers. The Government will take this work fully into account in reaching a decision on whether to introduce such an instrument.