§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has any plans to prepare an environmental quality standard for dichlorvos; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will list the reasons a product licence was granted for Nuvan 500 EC; if it is his intention to remove Nuvan 500 EC from the red list; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what steps he is taking to reduce the input of dichlorvos to the aquatic environment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyDichlorvos, the active ingredient of Nuvan 500EC, was included on the initial red list of priority substances whose input into water should be minimised. The list of substances and actions to achieve this were announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, South-West (Mr. Page) on 10 April at column405. There are no plans for removing any substances from that list.
The water research centre is currently reviewing the data on the ecotoxicity and behaviour in the aquatic environment of a number of red list substances, including dichlorvos, with a view to recommending environmental quality standards.
The granting of product licences for veterinary medicines is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.