§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the(a) environmental benefits and (b) costs to rural businesses of a pesticide tax. [63450]
§ Mr. MealeThe Department has commissioned extensive research work on the feasibility of an economic instrument to assist in delivering the Government's pesticide minimisation policy. This has included assessment of the potential environmental benefits of such an instrument, of the impacts on and costs to relevant agricultural sectors and on the manufacturers and distributors of pesticides.