§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the Minister of State's letter of 16 December, reference 133662, when he expects to receive advice from the Veterinary Products Committee in relation to organophosphorous sheep dips; and if he will make a statement. [104398]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 17 January 2000]: The Veterinary Products Committee (VPC)'s report was published on 20 December 1999, Official Report, column 446W. Following consideration of reports from the 288W Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) and the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), the VPC advised the temporary withdrawal from the market of all organophosphorous sheep dips pending the introduction of improved containers for concentrated dip. That advice was accepted and action has been taken on implementation. Copies of the VPC's and COT's reports are in the Library of the House.