§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made of the costs of the safe disposal from farms of stocks of those pesticides which have been withdrawn from the market this year as a result of the review taking place under EU Agricultural Pesticides Directive 91/414; and if she will list the cost to(a) the Government, (b) farmers and (c) the pesticide industry arising from the review. [133108]
§ Alun MichaelPesticides are regularly withdrawn from the market as a result of regulatory reviews or commercial decisions taken by crop protection companies. However, when there are not over-riding safety concerns a 'use up' period is provided. The purpose of this period is to allow the pesticide industry and farmers to use up existing stocks of the pesticide products concerned and thus avoid significant disposal costs. We believe that this is the best environmental option as well as minimising the costs for all parties.
The withdrawals of products under the EC review programme has been taking place progressively since 1995 although the largest batch of withdrawals is taking place this year. In all cases a use-up period has been provided. In anticipation of this years withdrawals the department undertook special publicity campaigns, both this year and last, supported by the crop protection industry and farmers organisations. These were designed to ensure that those affected used their stocks by the end of this year thus minimising the need for disposals.
Because of this costs would only arise at the end of this year for farmers or pesticide companies if they have failed to take advantage of the use up period and we do not envisage that there will be additional costs to Government.
§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the information contained on the Pesticides Safety Directorate website on the mixing of individual compounds after sale in relation to Regulation 4 of the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 and Regulation 4 of the Plant Protection Regulations 1997. [133502]
§ Alun MichaelThe information on the Pesticide Safety Directorate's website describing the mixing of individual pesticides after sale refers to the published 'Guidelines on the Provision of Pesticide Mixing Services and Sale of Twin Packs and Kits'. These guidelines confirm the requirement that only pesticides formulated in accordance with approved formulations may be sold or supplied. However once sale has taken place a pesticide may legally be mixed with another pesticide or with other substances without the need for a further product approval. This is provided that the mixing process is carried out by the user or on behalf of the user, and that specific conditions of use set for 495W the individually approved pesticides concerned are complied with. Many users choose to employ mixing services provided at retailer or distributor premises, or by mobile mixing services that visit farms. The mixing service guidelines stipulate that these services must be provided only after sale has taken place, that mixing must be carried out only in accordance with any restrictions placed on the individual pesticides used, and that mixed product should be used promptly.