§ Miss Quennellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of growing public concern over the use of chemicals for crops, animal diets, dressings, and sprays, he will state the policy of his Department regarding the testing and trials of such substances.
§ Mr. PeartThe manufacturers have agreed not to market any new agricultural pesticide, veterinary product or similar chemical until they have submitted to the Agricultural Departments full details of the results of the tests and trials they have conducted on its toxicity and safety in use. These data are considered by the Government's Advisory Committee on Pesticides and Other Toxic Chemicals, who are free to call for further trials and data before clearance is given for it to be put on the market. The manufacturers have also agreed to incorporate in the label the recommendations for safe use advised by the Committee and agreed with Government Departments.
The Advisory Committee is at present reviewing the whole of the present safety arrangements and in this connection is examining the scientific standards applied in assessing the information received from the manufacturers.
The use of antibiotics in feedingstuffs is controlled by regulations made under the Therapeutic Substances Act, 1956.