HC Deb 24 February 1999 vol 326 c333W
Jackie Ballard

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies his Department has commissioned on the safety of synthetic pyrethroid products. [71541]

Mr. Rooker

Applications for Marketing Authorisations for all veterinary medicinal products including synthetic pyrethroids must satisfy statutory criteria for safety, quality and efficacy. Applicants are required to submit details of scientific studies to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, where they are carefully assessed by specialists in qualified various scientific disciplines including biology, pharmacy, veterinary practice, toxicology and ecotoxicology.

Synthetic pyrethroids used as pesticides are similarly subject to strict statutory control. Ministers approve the marketing or use of a pesticide only after rigorous evaluation of scientific data. No approval is given to pesticides that pose any unacceptable risk to human beings, non-target species or the wider environment. All approved pesticides are subject to review and, if appropriate, approvals can be restricted or revoked entirely. Given the above statutory regulatory system no studies on the safety of synthetic pyrethroids have been commissioned by the Department.

Forward to