WRITTEN QUESTION E-2285/97 by John Iversen (PSE) and Kirsten Jensen (PSE) to the Commission (2 July 1997)

Subject: Pesticides on the positive list

Can the Commission confirm that it is in the process of adding the pesticide Paraquat to the EU's positive list?

If so, will it explain how it assesses such chemical substances?

What precautions does the Commission expect to be taken when Paraquat is used, in particular in relation to problems concerning the environment and health and safety at work?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (12 September 1997)

Paraquat is indeed one of the active substances which are currently being evaluated under the provisions of Directive 91/414/EEC ((Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market - OJ L 230, 19.8.1991. )) and Regulation (EEC) No 3600/92 ((Commission Regulation (EEC) 3600/92 laying down the detailed rules for the implementation of the first stage of the programme of work referred to in Article 8(2) of Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market -OJ L 366, 15.12.1992. )) with a view to possible inclusion in a Community positive list.

As stated in Article 5 of the Directive an active substance may only be included in Annex I to that Directive where in the light of the current scientific and technical knowledge, it may be expected that plant protection products containing the active substance will, consequent on application consistent with good plant protection practice, not have any harmful effects on human or animal health or any unacceptable influence on the environment.

Moreover, after inclusion of an active substance in Annex I of the Directive, Member States will have to review the authorizations of the plant protection products containing that active substance in accordance with the conditions of the inclusion and in accordance with the uniform principles (Annex VI) within a deadline to be determined.

The evaluation of paraquat continues and reports on the conclusions concerning paraquat are still in preparation. It will therefore be some time before a draft decision can be discussed with the Member States in the standing committee on plant health and consequently a decision taken.