Minutes of the 338th meeting of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP ) held on 30 June 2009
The Advisory Committee on Pesticides provides independent advice to Ministers on matters relating to the regulation and use of pesticides, including applications for approval of new products and reviews of existing approvals. It usually meets in closed session (because of intellectual property and commercial secrecy considerations) approximately six times a year in
At its meeting on 30 June 2009, the Committee discussed the following issues:
Those Present
Chairman: Prof J G Ayres
Members: Ms A Baker; Prof C Brown; Dr J Cocker; Dr C Harris; Prof G Hawksworth; Ms R Howell; Dr A Leake; Dr G M McPherson; Prof P Matthiessen; Dr D Osborn; Dr A Povey; Dr H Rees; Dr S Waring
Apologies: Prof C Ockleford; Dr W Parker; Prof J Parry; Dr D Ray
Written comments received from: Dr C Harris, Prof C Ockleford and Prof J Parry
Representatives from the following Departments and other organisations were present: The Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD), Scottish Agricultural Science Agency (SASA), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Health & Safety Executive (HSE), Food Standards Agency (FSA), Health Protection Agency (HPA).
Prof N Bateman and Dr G Jackson from the National Poisons Information Service attended the Meeting to give a presentation relating to Agenda items 4 and 5.
At its meeting on 30 June 2009, the Committee discussed the following issues:
1. Agenda Item 1: Minutes and Detailed record of discussion
1.1 a) 337th Meeting: Minutes [
1.1.1 Agreed as drafted. (link to minutes of 337th meeting)
1.2 b) 337th Meeting: Detailed record of discussion [
1.2.1 Agreed as drafted.
2. Agenda Item 2: Secretary’s report. [ACP 3 (338/2009)]
2 There was nothing to report.
3. Agenda Item 3: Matters arising
3.1 (a) Aminopyralid [ACP 12 (338/2009)]
3.1.1 Members considered further information requested following discussions at the 337th Meeting on 12 May 2009.
3.1.2 After consideration of this information, the ACP advised that approvals could be reinstated subject to the rigorous conditions of the stewardship scheme which would stop the supply of manure containing residues and provide testing advice and equipment, as well as a removal service for any remaining manure containing residues on allotments or gardens.
3.1.3 The Committee noted email correspondence from allotment holders received prior to the Meeting, and discussed methods of providing information and reassurance. It was agreed that the ACP would produce a press release in addition to any action by CRD if their advice is accepted by Ministers.
3.2 (b) Other Matters Arising [ACP 5 (338/2009)]
3.2.1 The Secretary reported on matters arising from previous meetings.
3.2.2 Members asked for progress on discussions on scenario based approach to the approval of pesticides. CRD would produce a scoping paper for the next meeting.
4. Agenda Item 4: Review of pesticide related effects on human health [ACP 6 (338/2009)]
4.1 One Member declared a personal non-specific interest, and another declared a non-personal, non-specific interest.
4.2 The Chairman welcomed Professor Nick Bateman and Dr Gill Jackson of the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) who presented a report on the Review of Pesticide Related Effects on Human health.
4.3 Members welcomed the report, but questioned the commissioning process, agreeing that the report would have been more authoritative if it had been prepared by contractors independent of an organisation currently collecting such data. The Committee heard that pressures on time, and the requirement to identify a contractor with relevant experience, had restricted options.
4.4 The Committee agreed that the ‘gold standard’ outlined by the report was appropriate for consideration of acute ill health, but an alternative approach may be required for chronic effects.
4.5 Publication of the report would be discussed between the contractors and CRD.
5. Agenda Item 5: Human health monitoring working group [ACP 11 (338/2009)]
5.1 Members discussed proposals for a short life working group of the ACP which would examine human health monitoring schemes, and agreed its terms of reference.
5.2 They agreed that the aims of the group would be to consider short term effects of single exposures, possible long term effects of single exposures, and possible long term effects of long term exposure. It was agreed that the ACP Chairman would chair the working group and it would meet a maximum of five times.
6. Agenda Item 6: Review of the Approval Process: Consideration of risk to bystanders/residents [ACP 8, ACP 9, ACP 10 and ACP 22 (338/2009) and ACP 13 (308/2004)]
6.1 Three Members declared interests on this item. It was agreed that these were all non-specific to the overall topic of the discussion although some had more specific interests in individual papers presented.
6.2 Members heard at a previous meeting that both the ACP and COT had been requested in initiate a review of the approval process concerning the consideration of risk to bystanders/residents. Discussion followed over additional background information that had been provided by CRD and Ms Georgina Downs to assist in this process.
6.3 The Committee expressed concern about images of poor spraying practice in Ms Downs’ video, agreeing that where there was evidence that operators were not following agreed best practice set out in the code of practice, it was appropriate for action to be taken.
6.4 Members agreed that they had scientific information required for a review of the approval process, but noted that the data awaited from BREAM would be essential to their considerations.
6.5 The ACP proposed that the review should be taken forward by a sub group of ACP and COT Members, and that papers should be drafted by the sub group members to demonstrate clear independence. The Chairman agreed to discuss the matter with the COT Chairman.
7. Agenda Item 7: Chlorpropham Stewardship Update [ACP 7(338/2009)]
7.1 One member declared a personal specific interest on this item and left the meeting.
7.2 Members welcomed the update from the Chlorpropham Stewardship Group, and noted progress to date. They requested a further interim report including actual residues data around the end of the year, with the formal report being due in Summer 2010.
7.3 The chairman of the stewardship group would be invited to discuss findings and progress when the formal report is completed.
8. Agenda Item 8: Emergency application for the use of Diquat [ACP 16 (338/2009)]
8.1 Members considered an application for emergency approval for the use of diquat to control aquatic weeds.
8.2 Concern was raised that no data had been provided on impacts on fish which may be affected by low dissolved oxygen, the likely critical effect of such treatment. Currently there is no evidence on which to base advice on how to mitigate possible effects.
8.3 Members agreed that they would be prepared to discuss the data which have recently been made available to the applicant, which would enable them to give more specific advice about what would be required to support any further application.
8.4 The Committee suggested possible methods of reducing operator exposure.
8.5 Members agreed that no emergency approval could be granted for this use.
9. Agenda Item 9: Diflubenzuron [ACP 23 (338/2009)]
9.1 One member declared a non-personal, non-specific interest on this item.
9.2 Members had considered a request for emergency advice by correspondence, and confirmed that there is uncertainty in the available data whether PCA is produced as a metabolite in humans, and whether it is genotoxic. They suggested further data would be required to clarify these points. The ACP’s comments would be passed to the EU discussion on diflubenzuron.
9.3 The ACP agreed that the Committee on Mutagencity (COM) should be asked for their advice, with a view that data requirements could be set for UK approval holders of PPP and biocide products with a relatively short deadline.
10. Agenda Item 10: Date of Next Meeting
ACP 339 on Tuesday 15 September 2009, commencing 11.00am, at Foss House, York.
11. Any Other Business
11.1 The Committee considered the items for information received since the last meeting.
J G Ayres