§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknishasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect any or all of the treatments for sea lice in farmed salmon, Cypermethrin, Emamectin and Calicide, currently licensed for use in Norway, to be licensed for use in the United Kingdom. [HL1009]
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston)The use of these treatments requires a prior approval of maximum residue limits (MRL) by the European Commission, a marketing authorisaion by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and a discharge consent for use at each farm from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
Cypermethrin is expected to receive the first two of these forms of approval in the spring. SEPA has already issued a number of discharge consents, subject to the treatment receiving a marketing authorization from the VMD.
109WAAn MRL has been approved for Calicide and an application for a marketing authorisation is under consideration by the VMD. Further data are awaited from the manufacturer and it is possible that a decision on the application could be made by mid-summer. SEPA is currently assessing the effects of Calicide on the marine environment.
Emamectin is at a much less advanced stage of consideration at all three levels.