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Pesticides

Question for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

UIN HL6775, tabled on 24 April 2017

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the recommendations of the March 2017 report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on pesticide use in agriculture, what steps they are taking to protect rural residents and communities from the detrimental health impact of pesticides.

Answered on

27 April 2017

This answer is a correction from the original answer.

Pesticides can only be sold and used if they are authorised. Authorisation is only granted if scientific data demonstrate that the proposed use of the pesticide will not have any harmful effects on human health or any unacceptable effect on the environment. The assessment of risks to human health takes account of the potential for exposure of rural residents.

Original answer

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.