§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what other gaseous pesticides were(a) investigated and (b) declared inhumane following an investigation by Porton Down on the use of hydrogen cyanide to gas badgers. [157935]
§ Mr. BradshawIn 1980, at the suggestion of Lord Zuckermann, the Chemical Defence Establishment (CDE) at Porton Down was commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Fisheries (MAFF) to assess the acceptability of the use of Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) to control the badger population.
Records indicate that in 1982 the results from this research led to the agriculture Minister, Mr Walker, ordering a ban on the use of HCN to kill badgers. The details of the research were publicised in a MAFF Press Notice (No.249) issued on 1 July 1982.
Subsequent to this announcement, records indicate that discussions between CDE and MAFF were undertaken concerning groups of potentially toxic compounds which could be of use in pest control. However, there is no evidence to suggest that any further research with gaseous pesticides was undertaken involving badgers, although some practical assessments involving non-gaseous methods were undertaken using other animals, including foxes.
This latter research on contingency plans in the event of rabies becoming established in the UK was undertaken for MAFF, between 1977 and 1981, and was designed to determine a replacement for strychnine in baited poison.
References:
- 1. The Toxicity of Hydrogen Cyanide by Inhalation to Ferrets and Badgers. Technical Report 15/123—this report was a Commercial-in-Confidence report for MAFF detailing research undertaken on a MAFF contract.
- 2. Compounds for Fox Control (Addendum to Interim Report of July 1977). Effectiveness of Atropine and P2 S in Protecting Rats and Rabbits Poisoned by T3327 (Carbamate) and T3415 (Phosphate). Commercial-in-Confidence. May 1978
- 3. The Development of a Humane and Effective Compound for the Control of Fox Populations. Commercial-in-Confidence, Contract Report PTA/15/52/81. July 1981.
§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health on the risk to public health posed by the use of pesticides; and if she will make a statement. [161103]
§ Alun MichaelMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and other Cabinet colleagues on a wide range of subjects. It remains Defra's position that the current risk assessment process for pesticides provides robust safeguards for public health; a view that is endorsed by the independent scientists on the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Health is a partner to the pesticides regulatory process, and has accepted the advice of the Advisory Committee on this issue.
§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the National Farmers' 439W Union on the spraying of pesticides on crops which are situated close to residences or footpaths; and if she will make a statement. [161104]
§ Alun MichaelMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with key stakeholders, including the NFU, on a wide range of subjects, as do all members of the ministerial team.