§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what percentage of approved pesticides in the United Kingdom are known to use possible(a) carcinogens, (b) mutagens and (c) allergens. [177434]
§ Alun MichaelIt is not possible for me to provide information on the number of pesticides classified as carcinogens or mutagens because this information is not held centrally and to attempt to provide it would incur disproportionate costs.
There are approximately 500 out of a total of 3,849 approved pesticide products that are classified as "skin sensitizers". These products are only approved for sale to professional users and carry a requirement to use protective equipment to reduce skin contact when handling the product.