§ Mr. TyrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what account is taken in the procedures for assessing the risks to public health from agricultural spraying of(a) long-term exposure to pesticides in the air, excluding spraydrift, (b) exposure to pesticides via precipitation, (c) exposure to pesticides transported from outdoor applications and redistributed into an indoor air environment, (d) exposure to mixtures of pesticides and other hazardous chemicals per spraying application, (e) the effect on vulnerable groups with particular reference to (i) babies, (ii) children, (iii) pregnant women, (iv) the elderly and (v) those with pre-existing medical problems and chemical sensitivity and (f) the effect of exposure to pesticides in the (a) short and (b) long term for domestic animals situated in or near sprayed fields. [165694]
§ Alun MichaelThe UK's pesticide approval system provides robust safeguards to protect the public against health risks—a view that is endorsed by independent scientists on the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. Before any pesticide can be used it must first be proved that it is safe to humans, wildlife and the environment. Companies wishing to obtain approval for the140W marketing and sale of pesticide products are required to submit substantial data dossiers, covering, among other things, their effects on the environment and non-target species, safety in use and any residues they may leave in food.
§ Mr. TyrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Minister for Rural Affairs has seen in full the video evidence and written documentation submitted by Georgina Downs to the recent departmental consultation on proposals for the introduction of no-spray buffer zones between spraying areas and residential properties in England and Wales. [165707]
§ Alun MichaelI have watched both of the videos that Georgina Downs submitted as part of her response to this consultation. I shall also consider fully the written submission provided by Ms Downs once I have received the Pesticide Safety Directorate's analysis of all of the responses to the consultation.