Vol. 490 No. 1
33 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the studies, if any, he has commissioned into the use of pesticides; and if his attention has been drawn to a European research project which suggests that an estimated 5.6 per cent of cancers could be attributed to pesticide exposure. [9392/98]
Plant protection products may only be used if they are authorised in accordance with specific requirements set down in EU legislation. The legislation requires that when these products are properly applied they will have no unacceptable effect on plants or plant products, no unacceptable influence on the environment in general and, in particular, no harmful effect on human or animal health or on groundwater, including drinking water.
While I am aware of papers published by a Belgian scientist suggesting the oncogenic effects of certain pesticides, the status of the conclusions reached is not clear at this stage. My Department will be liaising with the relevant authorities in Belgium to establish more detailed information on this study.
