HC Deb 09 December 1991 vol 200 c281W
Mr. Hardy

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which pesticides are classified as poisonous or toxic; and if he will list those substances which are available for use as pesticides but which are not harmful to humans or animals.

Mr. Maclean

The detailed information requested cannot be provided except at disporportionate cost. All pesticides are subject to rigorous scrutiny by the independent advisory committee on pesticides and must be approved by Ministers in six Government Departments before they can be used. Approval would not be given if there was evidence of adverse health effects in humans or animals.

It is a requirement that the label of each pesticide produce—of which there are over 3,000—must display a hazard classification symbol, if appropriate, in addition to the relevant precautions and statutory conditions.