Pesticides (Hansard, 4 March 1985)

§ Dr. David Clark
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies his Department has made, is conducting, plans to make, or is aware of, concerning the long range transport of pesticides in the atmosphere.

§ Mr. Waldegrave
The long-range transport in the atmosphere of some organo-chlorine pesticides is a recognised phenomenon. A report commissioned by my Department last year from the Institute of Offshore Engineering of Heriot-Watt university contained information of the aerial transport of organo-chlorine pesticides in the context of inputs of these and other substances into the North Sea. My Department is currently considering whether or not further research is needed to refine the estimates given in that report.

§ Dr. David Clark
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has concerning a recent study by the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States of the economic disbenefits of pesticide use; and what studies his Department has made, is conducting, or plans on this subject.

§ Mr. Waldegrave
It is not clear to which report this question refers. My Department has not conducted studies in this area and has no plans to do so.
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§ Dr. David Clark
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce environmental quality objectives for pesticide levels in air and water.

§ Mr. Waldegrave
There is no evidence that ambient levels of pesticides in air are a cause for concern. Quality objectives would therefore be of little value. Quality objectives are, however, a well-recognised feature of our system for ensuring water quality. In the context of the EC Directive 84/491/EEC, environmental quality standards have been set for the isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane in water and the Council of Ministers is also considering proposals for similar directives covering DDT and related substances, pentachlorophenol and dieldrin, endrin and aldrin.
In addition, my Department is currently considering the need for quality standards in the aquatic environment appropriate to a range of quality objectives for a number of pesticides which are in the "grey list".