§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what meetings he has had with the British Agrochemicals Association Ltd. in the past 12 months; what was the subject of the meetings; and if he will make a statement; [16289]
(2) what representations he has received from British Agrochemicals Association Ltd. in the past 12 months; what was the subject of those representations; and if he will make a statement. [16286]
§ Mrs. BrowningBritish Agrochemicals Association Ltd. has not sought a meeting with my right hon. Friend or other MAFF Ministers in the last 12 months but the association is frequently in contact with our officials to discuss issues relating to the regulation of pesticides.
In addition, the association has made formal representations to the Department on a number of issues including: updating of UK regulations on pesticides and European legislation on plant protection products; clarification of the arrangements for the authorisation of adjuvants; EC proposals for maximum residue levels in food; enforcement of maximum residue levels in protected lettuce; review of standards for the approval of amateur pesticides; the 1997–98 fees and charges structure and application arrangements operated by the Pesticides Safety Directorate; revision of the code of practice for the safe use of pesticides on farms and holdings; revision of the code of practice for suppliers of pesticides of agriculture, horticulture and forestry; labelling and risk management strategies for pesticides and terrestrial non-target arthropods; pesticide label phrases regarding the risk to honeybees; and a proposed MAFF booklet on pesticides in integrated farming.