§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions are taking place with the United States Government on the investigation being undertaken by the Federal National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health into the use and effects of Benlate; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 16 June 1993]: No discussions are taking place with the United States Government on any investigation by the Federal National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health into the use and effects of Benlate.
Government Departments with responsibility for pesticides maintain a watching brief on the scientific and technical literature and assess the results of relevant research. Where appropriate, the results are forwarded to the independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides—ACP.
The ACP reviewed benomyl, the active ingredient in the pesticide product Benlate, in 1992 and considered further information from a university of California study in March 1993. The ACP concluded that there was no cause for concern over the continued use of benomyl in the United Kingdom.