§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what environmental impact assessments his Department has made in respect of methyl bromide. [20581]
§ Mr. ClappisonI have been asked to reply.
The stratospheric impact of Methyl Bromide was reviewed by the UK stratospheric ozone review group in its last report "Stratospheric Ozone 1993". Its next assessment will be published by the end of 1996.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidelines his Department has issued regarding the use of methyl bromide. [20582]
§ Mrs. BrowningMy Department has not issued specific guidelines relating to the use of methyl bromide. The British Pest Control Association operates a strict system of regulation, certification and training for the use of methyl bromide which was drawn up in collaboration with my Department and the Health and Safety Executive. Industry has a good history of self-regulation and only those who obtain a BPCA certificate may be supplied with methyl bromide.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what alternative fumigants to methyl bromide are approved for use in the United Kingdom. [20586]
§ Mrs. BrowningThere is no single alternative to methyl bromide in all of its wide range of uses.
Approved alternative fumigants for soil sterilisation include chloropicrin, 1,3 dichloropropene and formaldehyde. Phosphine may be used for commodity fumigation. No alternatives to methyl bromide exists for rodent control and insect elimination aboard aircraft.