§ Sir John Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now ban the use of carbophenothion in Scotland.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownNo. Carbophenothion has been cleared for use under the Pesticides Safety Precautions Scheme and is a valuable preventive against damage668W by wheat bulb fly. Following incidents involving the death of wild geese, its use was reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and Other Toxic Chemicals and the suppliers accepted a recommendation that, pending further scientific investigation into the risks to wildlife, carbophenothion should not be sold in Scotland and that seed treated elsewhere should not be supplied for sowing in Scotland.
I am satisfied that these voluntary arrangements provide the most satisfactory means of ensuring the safe use of pesticides. In accordance with normal practice, the advisory committee will keep the situation under review.