§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to undertake a review of pesticide usage in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. SoamesGovernment policy is that the use of pesticides should be limited to the minimum necessary for the effective control of pests compatible with the protection of human health and the environment. This policy of minimisation is pursued through the statutory approvals system which sets maximum dose rates and tests efficacy claims and is backed by controls on use; surveillance monitoring of residues; usage surveys; and investigation of wildlife incidents. The Government also support an extensive research programme to investigate ways of minimising use. These policies have already led to significant reductions in the weight of active ingredients applied and we shall continue to pursue them in the future.