Extract from Oral answer
(Lords) on Roundup
(GP): I thank the Minister for his reply. I am sure that
it is general knowledge that the landmark verdict in a case in
the United States was that Roundup and glyphosate herbicides can
cause cancer, and Monsanto has acted with “malice and oppression”
by selling it in full awareness of the risks. Given that here in
the UK farmers have to keep such pesticides under lock and key in
a steel cupboard, how can it be all right to sell it freely in
the supermarkets on open shelves? Is that not a risk for both
shoppers and workers?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Gardiner of Kimble)
(Con): My Lords, the recent case was a civil court case
with a non-expert jury. There was no new scientific evidence
presented regarding safety as part of the court case, and so it
does not raise doubts about the scientific assessments
underpinning the EU approval decision. Of course, we have in this
country, and through the EU as well, very strict rules about
authorisations and approvals. There are many requirements for
Roundup, and it is important that it is used responsibly, but it
is safe.
(Con): My Lords, the European Chemicals Agency has ruled
that Roundup and glyphosates are not carcinogens. Against that
background, will my noble friend continue to ensure that the
Government use independent scientific advice to enable the farmer
to use crop protection to protect against pests that will
otherwise damage crops?
: My
noble friend encapsulates what is so important on this issue: the
Government and indeed, through the EU, act on the expert opinion
of scientists. That is the only way in which we can base this. It
is important for farmers and indeed for those of us seeking to
deal with ground elder and other weeds. We want to move to
greater precision-Farming and innovation, and agri-tech will help
with that.
The (CB): My
Lords, I remind the noble Lord that glyphosate was initially
registered as a very powerful chelator, which means that it
blocks out essential minerals and elements from plant systems.
Secondly, it was registered as an antibiotic, so it kills off
micro-organisms in the soil. Thirdly, it was registered as a
weedkiller. All those factors have an effect on what we eat every
day. Finland, which has a no-till policy using glyphosate, has
found that over the last three years crop levels have fallen, and
that there has been an increase in infertility in men and women.
Will the noble Lord bear that in mind when recommending the
ubiquitous use of Roundup?
: We
all need to use pesticides responsibly and carefully—all farmers
are conscious of this—and we want to move to a position where we
use them less, but we do need to use them. I say again that the
EU, the European Food Safety Authority, the European Chemicals
Agency and our own, very well respected agencies, have all said
that glyphosate is considered safe to use.
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Extract from
PMQs
(Ynys Môn) (Lab): The
Prime Minister rightly chooses north-west Wales as the place to
spend her holidays and her mountain walks inspire her to make
decisions such as the 2017 general election. Among the delights
of north Wales is its food and Farming sector, in particular
Menai Strait seafood. It relies on direct and fast exports to the
European Union, which are currently free of barriers and tariffs.
Can the Prime Minister assure the House that that sector, as well
as the automotive and aviation sectors, will after March be able
to enjoy the same free movement, underpinned by a comprehensive
customs union? [907386]
The Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman has named
a number of sectors. We have heard from those sectors their
concern about frictionless trade. The proposal we have put
forward to the European Union would provide for that frictionless
trade as part of a free trade area.
