§ Mr. Richard Shepherdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what effect a 5 per cent. devaluation of the green pound has on the levies which fall to be paid on imported foodstuffs; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will publish the most recent levels of levy charged on each imported item of food on which levies are payable.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithIn the attached table the levies applicable on 19 December 1979 are set out for a selection of the most commonly traded commodities affected by the representative rate change on 17 December 1979. The levies applicable immediately prior to the representative rate change are also shown.
(3) how much 2,4,5-T is used each year by the Forestry Commission and by the general public.
§ Mr. WigginThe Forestry Commission has used 2,4,5-T mainly in the replanting of the scrub woodland resulting from war time fellings in quantities declining as this programme has been completed. In 1975 the Commission sprayed approximately 5,000 acres using about 5½ tonnes of 2,4,5-T. During the last two years approximately 1,200 acres a year have been treated using about 1½ tonnes each year.
No information is available on the quantities used by the general public of products containing 2,4,5-T.
The Commission has considered alternatives such as hand cutting, clearing by mechanical means and the use of other 347W chemicals. All are practicable under certain conditions, but as they are more costly the Commission will continue to use 2,4,5-T in appropriate circumstances, in accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides.