HC Deb 22 January 1985 vol 71 c403W
Mr. John

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to implement the recommendation of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution that data on the quantities of active ingredients in pesticides manufactured and sold should be made freely available.

Mrs. Fenner

Following publication of the Government's response to the Seventh Report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution ("Agriculture and Pollution" Pollution Paper No. 21, 1983) officials met representatives of trade associations and data users to assess what data exists on quantities of active ingredients manufactured and sold. Since then we have introduced, in the Food and Environment Protection Bill, proposals for pesticides legislation. It is our intention, through regulations made under that Bill, to require manufacturers and others to keep certain records. We are also considering ways and means of making usage data more immediately accessible to interested parties. This issue will be discussed in detail with manufacturers, users, environmental groups and others interested in the data during the consultations on the proposed regulations.

Mr. John

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what organochlorine pesticides are currently cleared for use in agriculture; and, at the latest date for which figures are available, what was the estimated quantity of their use (a) in spray hectares and (b) in tonnes of active ingredient.

Mrs. Fenner

There are a number of organic pesticides which contain chlorine and could therefore be broadly defined as 'organochlorines'. However, the normal interpretation of this term is specific to those organochlorine compounds which can persist in the environment to a greater or lesser extent. Pesticides which fall into this category and are cleared under the pesticides safety precautions scheme for certain specific purposes in agriculture are:

  • Aidrin.
  • Chlordane.
  • Lindane.

As regards the question on usage, I refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 21 January 1985 to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies).