Herbicide 245-T safety and oversight
Tully asked whether employees exposed to 245-T had been identified; the Minister said no list existed and would not be made, arguing the herbicide posed no hazard when properly used and citing FAO/WHO findings. Members challenged the Minister over public concern and his authority to ensure proper use, but he did not answer the legal-powers question before the next question was called.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if a list of employees who have been exposed to the hazardous herbicide 245-T over the past three years has been complied, and if not, if he will have the names of such employees recorded.
Comment on this
No list has been complied in my Department of the names of employees who may have used or otherwise been in contact with pesticide products containing 245-T as an ingredient. I do not intend to have the names of such employees recorded as I do not accept that 245-T is a hazardous substance when properly used.
Comment on this
Is the Minister not aware that there would be widespread concern, certainly among the people who have to work in this area, at his statement that he believes 245-T is not hazardous if properly used? Could the Minister expand further on this and indicate whether he is at present perfectly satisfied with the control and information he has about the distribution and use of this chemical?
Comment on this
Not only am I satisfied, but it is the position in the U.K. The FAO and the WHO joint committee on pesticide residues is one of the most authoritative bodies in this field. It has twice examined 245-T and on each occasion has found that it presents no hazards to operators and consumers.
Comment on this
Is it fair to imply that the Minister dismisses all the reports about the hazardous nature of 245-T as so much rubbish?
Comment on this
May I ask the Minister what power he has to ensure that 245-T is in all cases, as he said, properly used?
Comment on this
As I have said, we are satisfied with the FAO and the WHO joint committee's report on the chemical.
Comment on this
That is if the pesticide is properly used. What legal power has the Minister to ensure that it is properly used? Is it not correct that he has no power?
