To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason the Government abstained from the vote on the proposed Pesticides Directive in the Council of Ministers in respect of changing approval of pesticides from risk-based to hazard-based examination. (219447)

The UK abstained on this issue as we remained concerned that no proper assessment of the potential impact of the proposals on agriculture in the Community, or of their benefits for consumers, had been presented to member states. We could not support measures which would have significant adverse impacts on crop protection and secure no significant health benefits for consumers.