HL Deb 24 January 1983 vol 438 cc118-9WA
Lord Hale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In how many countries of the Common Market and other European countries are limitations for the use of dioxin in force.

Earl Ferrers

The term dioxin encompasses a wide range of compounds, but is commonly used to refer to the most toxic of these—2, 3, 7, 8—tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). This may be formed as a contaminant during the manufacture of a range of industrial chemicals.

I regret that information is not available for all European countries on the steps taken to limit contamination by dioxin. However, a communication of 17th June 1982 from the Commission of the European Communities to the Council records that all member states of the Community have taken steps to limit the maximum permitted level of TCDD in 2, 4, 5–T which is one of the products in which contamination may occur. This communication also records that the limit is 0.01 mg/kg in Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom and this is the limit which the Commission recommend in present circumstances.