§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies he has carried out to determine the period which elapses before a river or stream's insect life recovers to its former levels after pollution by synthetic pyrethroids. [80875]
§ Mr. RookerAll veterinary medicines and pesticides, including those containing synthetic pyrethroids, must satisfy statutory criteria including safety. The safety assessment includes safety to the environment. Pollution incidents should not occur if safety warnings on labels are heeded. The period of recovery after a pollution incident is a matter for the environment agencies but is likely to vary according to the conditions in the river or stream concerned.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the result of studies he has carried out into the effect of synthetic pyrethroids in(a) sheep dips and (b) sprays for plants on (1) aquatic insects, (2) soil invertebrates and (3) other animal life; what sums he has expended in each of the last five years on such studies; and what further work is being carried out to determine the effect on fish life in affected rivers and streams. [80874]
§ Mr. RookerNo veterinary medicine is authorised unless it satisfies statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy. Safety includes safety to the environment. As part of the process of approval, the applicant company is required to submit data to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate where they are carefully assessed by specialists qualified in various scientific disciplines including ecotoxicology. No studies are carried out by the Ministry.
All pesticides are similarly subject to strict statutory control. In considering the approval or review of a pesticide, an assessment is made (on the basis of data 517W supplied by the applicant) of the risk to people, wildlife and to the wider environment. Only if this assessment shows that there is no unacceptable risk will approval be granted or allowed to continue following a review. The Ministry has carried out no studies of the kind specified into the environmental effects of synthetic pyrethroid pesticides. However, synthetic pyrethroid pesticides have been used in other MAFF funded research.