Written question asked by Lord Tyler (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 16 December 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 January 2003. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 January 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to ensure that British service personnel are not exposed to organophosphate pesticides when on operations in the Middle East. - Inc ref to Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986. (Holding answer 19 December 2002).

Answer: Mr. Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to ensure that British service personnel are not exposed to organophosphate pesticides when on operations in the Middle East. [88056] Mr. Ingram: [holding answer 19 December 2002]: The use of pesticides remains an essential component of force protection against the threat of insect borne disease. It is the policy of the Department only to procure pesticides approved under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 or to seek approval from Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to store items in United Kingdom, for use in overseas locations. Those pesticides are only supplied to and used by trained personnel, who are fully equipped with the appropriate personal protective equipment.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 88056; 397 c78-9W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Armed forces Chemical weapons Deployment Biological weapons Iraq Pesticides Organophosphates
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk