To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Retained EU Law Bill, what assessment she has made of (a) the need to maintain the current standards on pesticides as a minimum and (b) concern from the investment industry over pesticide-related biodiversity loss; and if she will make a statement.
Answered on
22 May 2023
Our pesticide regulatory system is one of the most robust in the world. Pesticides are only authorised following a thorough scientific risk assessment that concludes all safety standards are met, including environmental requirements. Pesticides that pose unacceptable risks are not authorised. This Government will not compromise these standards.
Defra has been clear in its commitments to uphold and not weaken environmental, animal welfare and other key protections. That is why our approach has always been to keep REUL, unless there is a good reason to either remove it from the statute book or reform it. That approach is now also reflected in the legislation, as the recently tabled Government amendment will mean that REUL is retained unless it is specifically cited in the revocation schedule.
We are clear in our commitment to halting the decline in biodiversity by 2030 as outlined in the Environment Act. The development and implementation of policies on sustainable pest management will contribute to achieving this.