§ Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the review of Deca-BDE; and what advice she has received on potential alternatives. [144388]
§ Alun MichaelWe have concluded the environmental risk assessment of deca-BDE carried out under the Existing Substances Regulation (EC) 793/93 and forwarded it to other Member States. Initial discussion has agreed that for the standard risk assessment, no further information nor risk management measures are needed. However, further data, not mandated by the Regulation, is available and this cannot be ignored. This information is of concern but it is not possible at this stage to conclude that there is a clear and unambiguous risk. It was therefore further agreed that the UK should recommend a monitoring programme, which will provide information as to the changing levels of deca-BDE in the environment. We are expecting levels to go down as industry controls its emissions more effectively. The environmental risk assessment is still being discussed within the European process and the final conclusion will ultimately be for the Community.
The examination of alternatives (looking at both efficacy and cost) is a standard part of the next step of this process when looking to see if any risk reduction measures are appropriate. In the case of deca-BDE, some of this work has already been carried out on a precautionary basis—at present a ready, safer alternative has not been identified.