§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the pesticides and pest repellent chemicals that have been withdrawn from use in commercial products following EU directives in the last five years; and what the reason was for their withdrawal in each case. [79378]
§ Mr. MorleyDirective 91/414/EEC concerns the marketing of plant protection products (these are basically pesticides and pest repellent chemicals used in agriculture). From 1998 to 2002 the following chemicals were withdrawn from the market under the first stage of the 91/414/EEC review programme: chlozolinate; dinoterb; DNOC, fentin acetate; fentin hydroxide; fenvalerate; lindane; monolinuron; pyrazophos and quintozene. Decisions to withdraw a further 8 chemicals have been taken but in all these cases the marketing can continue into 2003–2004.
Chlozolinate, fenvalerate, monolinuron and pyrazophos were withdrawn because the companies concerned did not provide, sufficient information to support their review. The other chemicals were withdrawn because they did not meet the requirements laid down in Directive 91/414/EEC. In all these cases concerns were expressed regarding the safety of operators potentially exposed to the chemicals and for some there were also concerns regarding the behaviour of the chemicals in the environment and their possible impact on non-target organisms.
738WFinally, marketing authorisations for 320 chemicals throughout the EU (of which 45 had UK approvals) will be withdrawn in July 2003 (although a few "essential uses" of some of these chemicals can continue to 2007). In all these cases withdrawal arises because the companies concerned have not supported the chemicals in the second and third stages of the review programme.