HC Deb 12 June 1997 vol 295 cc534-5W
Dr. Gibson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the environmental hazards associated with organophosphates. [2827]

Mr. Rooker

(a) The Ministry has commissioned no research into the environmental hazards associated with organophosphates (OPs).

(b) No veterinary medicine is authorised for use unless it meets stringent statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy. Safety includes safety to the environment. Applications for marketing authorisations must be supported by data which are assessed against the statutory criteria, including details of research.

Organophosphates are also used as agricultural pesticides. The marketing or use of a pesticide is approved only after thorough evaluation. No approval is given to pesticides that pose any unacceptable risk to human beings, non-target species or the wider environment.

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