Mr. kin Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received about the possible effect of pesticide spraying on foodstuffs used for human consumption.
§ Mrs. FennerI have received six general inquiries about pesticide residues in food during the last three months. Under the pesticides safety precautions scheme, clearance is not granted to any product whose use for the purpose and in the manner intended would create risks for consumers. Numerous monitoring surveys carried out and published by my Department since 1964 have indicated that residues in food have decreased steadily during that period, and that levels generally are well below internationally recognised safety limits. I am not aware of any serious case of harm, but the Government will remain vigilant in this area.
§ Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he will institute a review of the use of pesticides;
(2) what representations he has received concerning the report on pesticides by Friends of the Earth; and whether he will investigate the allegations of threats posed to people and to wild life due to the use of pesticides on farms, alleged in that report.
§ Mrs. Fenner[pursuant to her reply, 1 May 1984]: I am aware of the report by Friends of the Earth. The Government maintain a constant review of the use of pesticides. Among the measures taken, all reported cases of possible risk to human health are investigated by Her Majesty's Agricultural Inspectorate, and those involving wildlife are investigated through the wildlife incident investigation scheme.
§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation controlling the development, production, sale and use of pesticides on farms; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will institute legal controls on (a) the production, (b) the sale, and (c) the use of pesticides.
§ Mrs. Fenner[pursuant to her reply, 1 May 1984]: Pesticides have been controlled since 1957 under the pesticides safety precautions scheme. The scheme is non-statutory but has served the nation well. Its effectiveness is kept under continuous review and it would be given statutory support if necessary.