§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in the light of discussion at the Oxford Farming Conference, details of which are in his possession, he will take steps to initiate an international negotiation with a view to restricting the use of dieldrin.
§ Mrs. FennerI am not aware that the proceedings of the Oxford Farming Conference called for a new initiative of this kind. We already play a very full part in international discussions, for example in the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which take in questions such as restricting the use of dieldrin and other persistent pesticides. However, there are wide differences in the pest control problems facing the many nations concerned, and it would be unrealistic to expect that424W other countries—particularly developing countries—would necessarily be in a position to operate the very strict regime which applies in the United Kingdom and which was described in the reply given to the hon. Member for Rother Valley (Mr. Hardy) on 15th November last,—[Vol. 864, c. 210.]