Vol. 394 No. 8
210 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if it is within his area of responsibility to control and monitor the type of drugs and chemicals used in fish farming in (a) inland lakes and waterways and (b) the sea; the controls which are at present in place regarding the use of such drugs; if he will list the chemicals and drugs in use in such fish farming operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Any chemical preparation based on pesticides including those used in fish farming within the meaning of Council Directive EEC No. 78/631/EEC is subject to the terms of that directive and, as such, comes under my control. The directive is given effect in this country under the EC Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Pesticides Regulations which provide for the evaluation of the substances in pesticides on the basis of toxicological, physical, chemical and environmental data which must be submitted to obtain clearance to market and use of pesticide. Under the regulations, my Department can take steps to provide that a pesticide may not be used where there is evidence to show that it constitutes an unacceptable risk to health and the environment. Appropriate instructions for the safe use of the product must be set out on the container label.
All new pesticides coming on the market are subject to the foregoing regime before being cleared for marketing.
I understand that the list of chemicals and drugs used in fish farming is being provided by the Minister for the Marine.
