§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What research findings already exist about any long-term effects of chemical insecticides used on cotton plants and about comparisons of such insecticides with the use of biological and organic methods to control harmful insects; and, if the subject has been little studied, whether they will ask the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and other relevant bodies to commission research and disseminate the results in the main cotton growing areas. [HL2005]
§ Lord WhittyThere is a substantial body of research cited in the scientific literature on this subject. In the last 10 years there have been some 3,000 publications covering long-term effects of pesticides/insecticides and the use of biological controls and natural enemies in cotton production. The FAO itself has a number of publications covering aspects of these issues and four years ago (1999) it announced a European Union-funded project costing 12 million euros specifically targeted at environmentally friendly cotton production in Asia. Given this existing body of work, the Government do not believe it is necessary to suggest further research in this area.