§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the ban on spraying sulphuric acid on crops was removed in the UK. [103393]
§ Ms QuinSulphuric acid has been used as a pesticide, principally as a desiccant for potato crops, for over 50 years. The current pesticide approval for sulphuric acid was issued in November 1995.
As part of its programme of work the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) reviewed the use of sulphuric acid as an agricultural desiccant in October 1997. The ACP recommended that approval could continue subject to further investigation into the potential risks to bystanders and the aquatic environment being produced.
The Health and Safety Executive is addressing the issues associated with bystander exposure and will report its findings to the ACP. A research project, managed by the Scottish Agricultural College, is presently under way to study the effects of sulphuric acid on the buffering capacity of natural waters in isolated systems. This addresses changes in acidity in water courses adjacent to crops treated with sulphuric acid. The results are expected later this year and will also be referred to the ACP.