§ Mr. Alan SimpsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what(a) representations the Treasury has received and (b) meetings he has held on the proposed pesticides tax with (i) the British Agrochemicals Association, (ii) UKASTA, (iii) NOAH, (iv) the National Farmers' Union, (v) the Country Landowners' Association and (vi) agrochemical companies, giving the name of each company, including the dates and duration of the meetings. [126900]
§ Mr. TimmsMinisters and officials have had numerous meetings with representatives of the agrochemicals industry, agriculture and environmental non-Government organisations, and received a number of representations on216W a possible pesticides tax and on a voluntary package of measures to reduce the environmental impact of pesticides use.
The Government are currently consulting on a formal set of voluntary proposals which have been published by the British Agrochemicals Association. The Government welcome the views of all interested parties on these proposals and their effectiveness in tackling the environmental impacts of pesticide use.