§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what data he has collated on the effects of glyphosate used as a herbicide; what assessment he has made of recent research studies carried out by EU advisors; and if he will make a statement. [94830]
§ Ms QuinAll pesticides, including those herbicides with glyphosate as their active substance, used here must be approved for the purpose by Ministers in the 159W Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. We only approve a pesticide after rigorous evaluation of scientific data to show that it is both efficacious and can be used safely with regard to human health and the environment.
Glyphosate is currently being reviewed by the EU Commission as part of a programme to ensure that all agricultural pesticides currently on the market in the EU meet current standards. An initial assessment of the human and environmental safety of glyphosate undertaken by the German authorities on behalf of the Commission is currently being peer-reviewed by experts from a number of other Member States.