91997E1537

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1537/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (5 May 1997)

Subject: Phosphate ester poisoning due to the use of Tiguvon (Fenthion) manufactured by Bayer Leverkusen

The flea-repellant Tiguvon (Fenthion) manufactured by Bayer Leverkusen can be administered in different forms. Tiguvon 10 is intended for cats over 2 kg in weight. The use of Tiguvon 20 is recommended for dogs weighing between 3 and 10 kg, while dogs with a body weight of more than 10 kg should be treated with Tiguvon 20 G. People who have repeatedly treated their pets with Tiguvon (Fenthion) have suffered serious phosphate ester poisoning. As the Commission was unable to answer my Question E-1470/96 ((OJ C 345, 15.11.1996, p. 76. )) on the same subject, I would ask the Council to answer the following questions as a matter of urgency:

Is the Council aware of any research findings that reveal the extent of the danger to pet-owners, especially children, whose health may be damaged even by small quantities of toxins and who, at their young age, cannot be assumed to act responsibly?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1533/97, E-1535/97, E-1537/97, E-1539/97, E-1541/97, E-1543/97, E-1545/97 and E-1547/97 (25 September 1997)

The Council has to date not received any proposal from the Commission directly concerning the multiple problems raised by the Honourable Member. However, the Council would draw the Member's attention to the fact that at this stage there is not yet any Community harmonization of the status of these products which are treated, depending on the evaluation of Member States, in particular as medicinal or biocidal products. Bearing this in mind, as regards certain aspects of the questions put by the Honourable Member, the Council would point out that:

- following the 19th adaptation to technical and scientific progress ((OJ L 258, 11.10.1993, p. 29.)) of Annex 1 to Directive 67/548/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances, the Annex lists FENTHION under No 015-048-00-8 in the index ((OJ L 258A, 16.10.1993, p. 212.));

- under the common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a future Directive concerning the placing of biocidal products on the market ((Common position of the Council of 20.12.1996, OJ C 69, 5.3.1997, p. 13.)), Annex V to which covers antiparasitics, these products may be marketed only after their active substances have been entered on a positive Community list and after a detailed assessment of the risks they might entail notably for human health.