§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to ban atrazine in the UK. [132493]
§ Alun MichaelAtrazine is to be withdrawn from use as an agricultural pesticide throughout the European Community, following a full scientific review. Products containing atrazine will be withdrawn over an 18-month period which will begin on formal adoption of the relevant European Commission decision, which we anticipate within the next few months. However, certain 'essential uses' will be permitted until the end of 2007. The essential uses agreed for the United Kingdom are for sweetcorn and forestry.