HC Deb 29 November 1984 vol 68 cc564-5W
Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list his powers to prohibit aerial spraying of pesticides from named places or areas.

Mr. Michael Spicer

The controls over aerial crop spraying are exercised by the Civil Aviation Authority under article 40 of the Air Navigation Order 1980. In particular, the authority requires that aerial sprayers maintain minimum distances from houses, congested areas, and sensitive areas such as schools, hospitals, children's playgrounds and stables. Operators are also required to consult the Nature Conservancy Council if they intend to spray within three-quarters nautical mile of a national nature reserve or site of special scientific interest, and to give advance warning to others in the area.

Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if, when he next meets the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, he will discuss the number of aircraft engaged in aerial application of pesticides, since June this year.

Mr. Michael Spicer

The aerial application of pesticides is one of the topics on which I consult the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority as necessary. The chairman's assurances about the enforcement of the controls on aerial crop spraying to which my hon. Friend and colleague the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport referred in his statement on crop spraying on 31 July, at columns209–10, were the result of such consultations.