Written question asked by Debbie Abrahams (Labour) on Friday, 13 April 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 18 April 2012. It was answered by Lord Grayling (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 April 2012 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Strychnine

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the use of strychnine for pest control.

Answer: Strychnine was not supported by industry under the EU legislation dealing with pest control chemicals administered in the UK by the Health and Safety Executive (the Plant Protection Products Directive 91/414/EC and the Biocidal Products Directive 98/8EC). Strychnine has therefore not been allowed to be used for pest control since 1 September 2006 and neither Ministers nor officials have discussed strychnine with our EU counterparts since it is no longer supported.

Secondary information