§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement about the safety of Atrazine. [56257]
§ Mr. MorleyAll pesticides used in this country, including Atrazine, must be approved by Ministers. Approval is only granted following thorough scientific evaluation of the risk that the pesticide might pose to people, wildlife and to the wider environment. Only if this evaluation shows that there is no unacceptable risk will approval be granted.
Both the UK and the EU systems for regulating pesticides contain routine review programmes of older pesticides to ensure they meet current safety standards. Atrazine is currently being reviewed as part of the EU programme with the UK acting as Rapporteur Member State. The review covers both the possible effects of Atrazine on human health and the environment. The UK's report on Atrazine is currently being considered by the EU Standing Committee on Plant Health with particular attention being given to the levels of Atrazine found in ground water.
In the UK restrictions were placed on the agricultural uses of Atrazine in 1992 as there had been widespread breaches of the EU Drinking Water Directive's limit. However, the levels found did not endanger the health of consumers or damage the environment.
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate she has made of the extent of the use of Atrazine as a fertiliser. [56258]
§ Mr. MorleyI have no information on the use of Atrazine as a fertiliser. Atrazine is a herbicide and should not be used as a fertiliser.