asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will make a statement on the adequacy, or otherwise, of the controls for the supply and use of pesticides.
Written Answers. - Pesticide Controls.
61.
Regulations made under Community legislation provide for controls on the marketing and use of pesticides. These controls cover maximum permissible residue levels in and on fruit and vegetables and prohibit the sale or use of certain specified pesticides which may involve risks for persons or the environment. Further regulations provide that the classification, packaging and labelling of approved pesticides being marketed must indicate the risks involved and give suitable advice on safety procedures. Pesticides which may be regarded as constituting a danger to health or environmental safety may be banned or have special conditions which must be complied with attached to their labelling. In addition, regulations implementing recent Community legislation on maximum permissible residue levels in and on cereals and foodstuffs of animal origin are due to be introduced by June 1988.
In addition to these safeguards and controls further national measures are being considered. These include a registration licensing scheme which makes provision for the registration of products and the licensing of persons selling, using and applying pesticides. I am satisfied that the present statutory controls provide reasonable safeguards to health and to the environment.