§ Mr. Lathamasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in the light of the Government's decision to reconsider the safety of the herbicide 2, 4, 5-T, following a recent incident in Taunton, he will ban this product forthwith until the further review has been carried out; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe safety of 2,4,5-T products was a subject of specific inquiry by the authoritative independent body, the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. In its report published earlier this year, which all the evidence was considered in detail, it concluded that these products can safely be used provided, as with all chemicals, they are used as recommended.
The Government accept the conclusions set out in this report, copies of which are in the Library of the House and can be obtained from my Ministry. In accordance with the normal procedures, however, the advisory committee will be considering any new or further information on the subject that becomes available.