HL Deb 20 November 2002 vol 641 cc5-6WA
Lord Fearn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they approve of farmers spraying potato crops with sulphuric acid. [HL78]

Lord Whitty

Sulphuric 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 following the recommendation of the Government's independent scientific committee, the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP).

However, all pesticides are subject to routine review and sulphuric acid was further reviewed in October 1997 when the ACP recommended that approval could continue subject to further data being generated. Additionally, the National Association of Agricultural Contractors, in association with the National Sulphuric Acid Association, has drawn up a code of practice for the safe use of sulphuric acid in agriculture.