§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the target frequency of visits by inspectors of the agricultural division of the Health and Safety Executive to farm premises; what is the actual frequency of visits to farm premises; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe Health and Safety Executive's agricultural inspectorate's programme of preventive visits to work premises, including farm premises, is planned on the basis of an inspection rating system which is reviewed at each visit to the premises. In addition, an annual review is undertaken to take into account the period since the last preventive inspection.
Information is not available on the actual frequency of visits to farm premises, but between 1 April 1988 and 31 March 1989 agricultural inspectors made a total of 32,041 inspection visits.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps the agricultural inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive is taking to ensure compliance with the code of practice on the sale and supply, including storage, of pesticides approved for agricultural use; what assessment he has made of the extent to which the code is being observed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsInspectors in the Health and Safety Executive's agricultural inspectorate are responsible for 99W seeking compliance with the Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA) 1985 and the code of practice for suppliers of pesticides at premises for which they have enforcement responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and other health and safety legislation. Inspectors consider compliance with FEPA at preventive inspection visits and at visits for other purposes such as to investigate accidents, complaints and dangerous occurrences.
Information is not available on the extent to which the code of practice is being observed.