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The
Body Report
revisited
— UK MPs to investigate pesticide safety
— UK MPs to investigate pesticide safety
We
welcome the recent announcement that the House of Commons Select Committee
on Agriculture, chaired by Sir Jerry Wiggin MP, is to examine the efficiency
and effectiveness of the two MAFF Executive Agencies, the Pesticides Safety
Directorate (PSD), and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), which
together administer the registration of agricultural pesticides and the
licensing of veterinary medicines.
The Committee is calling for evidence on
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the efficiency and effectiveness of PSD and VMD procedures and the costs to agrochemical and pharmaceutical companies;
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the rationale of the statutory framework within which both agencies operate;
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progress on harmonisation of pesticides registration and veterinary medicines licensing procedures across the European Union;
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the efficiency and effectiveness of both Agencies in discharging their other responsibilities.
Submissions - which are to be copied 20
times
This
will be the first time that there has been an enquiry since the same committee,
then chaired by Sir Richard Body MP sat in 1986-87. The election interrupted the
Committee’s work. Sir Richard produced a Draft Report which the Committee
was not able to discuss collectively. This was nevertheless published together
with the evidence presented to the Committee. The Draft Report contained 45
recommendations and was promptly ignored by MAFF, who saw no need to make any
response.
The
enquiry will centre on the issue of sheep dips and complaints about the acute
and chronic poisoning from pesticide use. Many counseling groups for those affected
by pesticides will present evidence from sufferers. The Pesticides Trust [now
PAN UK] is preparing a
submission calling for:
-
a response to the first recommendation of the Body Report - “We deplore the lack of a centralised system for coordinating reports on pesticide poisoning.” The “Green Card” pilot reporting scheme has been piloted by the West Midlands Poisons Unit who have reported on it to the Health and Safety Executive. Why has the report not been published?
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a response from MAFF to the other 44 recommendations of the Body Report
The
Pesticides Trust [PAN UK] is also drawing attention to several further points:
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a remedy for the overall gap in pesticide
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a clear view of whose job it is to define acceptable risk. Experts properly advise on whether a chemical can cause harm and what is the risk of such harm occurring. Whether that risk is acceptable should involve farmers and users and the public.
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accessible help so that farmers can choose between risks - there is insufficient information about the health and non-target effects
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a continuation in the public access to decision making. MAFF particularly has made considerable progress in providing access to information. However, a number of its advisory panels and working parties have recently been terminated. How will public input be maintained?
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a list from VMD of approved products, and full evaluations of reviews.
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a hot-line for advice for those who have been exposed to pesticides.
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A debate on the role of pesticides in agriculture. Europe is now reflecting on whether and how intensive pesticides use contributes to sustainable agriculture: the role of pesticides in UK agriculture needs to be reexamined.
The
Green Network is arranging a meeting at the Jubilee Room in the House of Commons
on Wednesday 22nd March from 2pm - 4pm to enable organisations and individuals personally
to present
written reports of pesticide exposure and
ill-health, and MPs will be in attendance.
Contact Vera Chaney, Green Network, 9 Clairmont Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 5BE, UK, Tel: (0)206 46902, Fax: (0)206 766005.