§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on a pesticides tax. [179595]
§ Alun MichaelA Voluntary Initiative to reduce the environmental damage caused by the agricultural use of pesticides has been in place since April 2001. In Budget 2004 the Government confirmed the view that the initiative will be effective in reducing the environmental pollution associated with pesticides provided that it is fully implemented. However, to cover the possibility that the initiative might not deliver the required environmental benefits within a reasonable time scale, the Government have kept the options for a tax or economic instrument under review.