§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which company or companies manufactured diazinon between 1975 and 1999; whether, if more than one company was involved, the appropriate licensing authority was advised on each occasion that epichlorhydrin was removed from the commercial formulation of products with diazinon as the active ingredient; and, if the licensing authority was not advised, why not. [HL1705]
§ Baroness HaymanA considerable amount of work will be needed to check this information. However, it is known that currently there are two manufacturers of diazinon used in sheep dips. They are Nippon Kayaku Co Ltd, Tokyo and Ciba Geigy, Basle. No commercial formulation of a veterinary medicinal product containing diazinon as the active ingredient currently uses epichlorhydrin as a stabiliser. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate was informed by the marketing 95WA authorisation holders of the removal of epichchlorhydrin from the formulation of their products. I will write to the noble Countess when the detailed information she has requested is available.
§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
What independent research has been conducted into the chemical reactions that occur in formulations of diazinon-based organophosphate sheep dips when they are stored under variable conditions, when the concentrates are mixed according to manufacturers' instructions in water of variable PH and temperature and when the mixed dip is left standing; and, if such research has been conducted, whether the results have been published. [HL1707]
§ Baroness HaymanData to support the information on stability needed to satisfy the requirements of Council Directive 81/852/EEC are submitted by the manufacturer. For stability data, the information required is set out in Section F of the Directive. The data are specific to the product concerned. The Licensing Authority does not carry out independent research of this nature. The information required includes data to support the shelf life, recommended storage conditions and specifications at the end of the shelf life. Where a finished product requires reconstitution prior to administration, details of the proposed shelf life for the reconstituted product are also required. Where a finished product is liable to give rise to degradation products, the applicant must declare them, indicate characterisation methods, test procedures and acceptable levels.