§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has evaluated into the effect of the use of the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos on the health of children; what uses are authorised; and at what thresholds. [129993]
§ Ms QuinBoth the UK and EU systems for regulating pesticides contain routine review programmes of older pesticides to ensure they meet current safety standards. Chlorpyrifos is presently under review in both the UK and EU review programmes. Both reviews have required the submission of data and research studies by companies wishing to support the compound.
For the UK review 171 toxicology and metabolism studies relevant to the risk posed by chlorpyrifos to the health of people, including children, have been submitted. The Government's scientific evaluation of these studies is currently being examined by the independent experts of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) and the Food Standards Agency. Once the Committee's review has been completed, in line with normal practice, a detailed evaluation document listing the studies evaluated and setting out the assessment made by the ACP will be made publicly available.
The European Commission has yet to reach a decision on the European status of chlorpyrifos. The initial evaluation of the safety of the compound carried out by Spain for the Commission is currently being peer reviewed by the relevant experts in the EU member states. The European Commission's review report on 387W chlorpyrifos will be made available to the public once a final decision on the EU status of chlorpyrifos as a pesticide has been taken.
I will write to the hon. Member with the details of the crops, maximum individual doses and maximum number of treatments for those products containing chlorpyrifos approved for use in agriculture, horticulture and amenity use and place copies of my letter in the House Libraries.