§ Lord Ashley of Stokeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will request the National Advisory Committee on Pesticides to publish as soon as possible a report of their discussions on the safety of Benomyl following speculation of eye defects in babies after pesticide exposure of the mother or father.
Earl HoweOn 4th March the Advisory Committee on Pesticides examined the most recent study on benomyl carried out by the University of California. The study was designed to test the mechanisms of action of benomyl at high doses and under severe experimental conditions. It was not aimed at determining the safety level for benomyl. The results of the study are in line with those already considered by the committee, which have indicated a clear safety level for birth defects. As such, the new study provided no additional safety information with regard to the use of benomyl. The committee has therefore reiterated its assessment that there is no cause for concern over the continued use of benomyl in the UK.