HC Deb 27 October 2003 vol 412 cc22-3WS
Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in which EU countries atrazine is banned. [134100]

Alun Michael

As I said in my reply to my right hon. Friend on 20 October 2003,Official Report, column 396W, Atrazine will be withdrawn in all member states over an 18 month period that will begin on final adoption of the relevant European Commission Decision, which we expect in the next few months. Certain "essential cases" will be allowed until the end of 2007 in respect of sweetcorn and forestry.

In advance of this, the most recent information from the European Commission indicates that Atrazine is currently not approved in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden.

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