§ Lord Swinfenasked Her Majesty's Government:
What research has been undertaken into the take-up of agricultural chemicals by game, ground game, wild fowl or other wild animals or birds taken for food; whether these chemicals can be passed on to those who eat the animals or birds; and whether any harmful effects may arise.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)My department's Agricultural Development and Advisory Services undertakes research to develop suitable biochemical techniques to identify and quantify residues of agricultural pesticides in vertebrate wildlife and honey bees and also to develop and apply techniques for investigations of wildlife poisoning by pesticides. Before pesticides are approved, a comprehensive assessment is made of their likely environmental impact with particular attention to whether their use will give rise to problems in wildlife.
In addition, the Working Party on Pesticide Residues undertakes surveys into pesticide residues in wildlife, including game species. The withdrawal of the persistent organochlorine pesticides and their replacement by less persistent alternatives has ensured that residue levels in wildlife are low. The Government's expert advisers in toxicity have reviewed these findings and do not find that they give rise for concern.