Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 7 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 10 March 2006. It was answered by Karen Buck (Labour) on Friday, 10 March 2006 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Insecticides

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is mandatory for airlines to spray insecticide in the interior of aircraft cabins on flights arriving in the UK; what rules govern this practice; what insecticides are permitted for use; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The use of insecticide is required under the International Health Regulations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on flights to or from certain destinations to prevent infectious and contagious diseases. This process is known as disinsection.Rules established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) require that disinsection does not injure or cause discomfort to passengers or crew. These rules permit the use of certain insecticides, which have the approval of and are recommended by the WHO, based on their efficacy and minimal human toxicity. The rules are binding on ICAO contracting states.Within Great Britain, the Public Health (Aircraft) Regulations 1979 lay down provisions intended to prevent infectious and contagious diseases. These provisions are enforced at airports by the local port health authority.All pesticides used for aircraft disinfection in Great Britain must be approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986.ICAO is presently looking into alternative methods of keeping mosquitoes and other insects out of the aircraft cabin. These methods include wind curtains at entrances and mechanical devices. If there is evidence to suggest alternative methods are more effective that the current methods, ICAO will consider a review of the disinsection process.

Secondary information