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 York.
Those present:
Chairman: Prof J G Ayres
Members: Prof C Brown; Dr J Cocker; Ms J Dean; Dr C Harris; Prof G Hawksworth; Mr P Jackson; Dr A Leake; Dr G M McPherson; Prof P Matthiessen; Prof C Ockleford; Dr W Parker; Prof J Parry; Dr A Povey; Dr H Rees; Prof R Smith; Dr S Waring
Apologies: Dr D Ray
Written comments received from: Dr D Ray; Natural England
Representatives from the following Departments and other organisations were present: The Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Health & Safety Executive (HSE ), Food Standards Agency (FSA); Health Protection Agency (HPA); Welsh Assembly Government (WAG); Science & Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA); Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute Northern Ireland (AFBINI).
At its meeting on 16 March 2010, the Committee discussed the following issues:
1. Agenda Item 1: Minutes and Detailed record of discussion
1.1 a) 341st Meeting: Minutes [ACP 1 (342/2010)]
1.1.1 Agreed as drafted. (link to minutes of 341st meeting)
1.2 b) 341st Meeting: Detailed record of discussion [ACP 2 (342/2010)]
1.2.1 Agreed as drafted, subject to amendment to two paragraphs.
2. Agenda Item 2: Secretary’s report. [ACP 3 (342/2010)]
2.1 The Secretary to the Committee reported on the recommendations made at previous meetings.
3. Agenda Item 3: Matters arising [ACP 5 (342/2010)]
3.1 The Secretary reported on matters arising from previous meetings.
3.2 Members received a response to questions raised at ACP 341 concerning procedures of the PIAP scheme [ACP 20 (342/2010)]. It was agreed that this paper be passed to the Pesticides Adverse Health Effects Surveillance Working Group for consideration at their next Meeting.
4. Agenda Item 4: Application for UK provisional approval (PPPR) for ‘Coragen’ containing chlorantraniliprole [ACP 7 (342/2010)]
4.1 Two members declared non-personal specific interests for this item.
4.2 CRD explained that the ‘core dossier’ for this active substance had been evaluated as an OECD global workshare project.
4.3 Members heard that this application sought a provisional approval for use of the product ‘Coragen’ to control codling moth in apples and pears. The ACP’s advice was also sought on the suitability for emergency use on potatoes to control Colorado beetle should plant health request such an approval in the event of a future outbreak.
4.4 Risk assessments were acceptable for both uses. Because the estimated concentrations reaching groundwater were close to the 0.1µg/l statutory limit, the ACP agreed that the Environment Agency should be advised to undertake groundwater monitoring in areas where there was shallow groundwater, notably around the Wash.
4.5 The ACP agreed to advise Ministers that a provisional approval should be granted for the use of Coragen on pome fruit in the UK. Furthermore, if plant health required it, an emergency approval for use on potatoes to control Colorado Beetle could be granted without further advice from the ACP.
5. Agenda Item 5: Application for emergency authorisation for the use of 6-benzyladenine [ACP 16 (342/2010)]
5.1 One Member declared a personal specific interest in this item and left the Meeting. Another member declared a non-personal specific interest.
5.2 Members agreed that there was an emergency need for the use of this chemical analogue of a naturally occurring plant hormone. At present there was some uncertainty in the toxicology package, and as such full personal protective equipment (PPE) and the use of cabbed tractors in application would be required as a precautionary approach. They provided some advice on data required to support the annex I listing application. There were, however, no major concerns at this stage regarding residues in crops, efficacy or environmental side effects.
5.3 The Committee sought clarification about the proposals for the collection of unused product at the end of the emergency use period. Members also asked for reassurance that an emergency approval for this growing season would not set a precedent for similar requests in future years. However, they heard that a decision on Annex 1 listing would be completed by the end of 2010.
5.4 The ACP agreed an emergency 120 day approval could be granted, subject to the use of full PPE, cabbed tractors, and appropriate methods of removal of unused product.
6. Agenda Item 6: Prospects for the Government’s future pesticides work[ACP 7 (342/2010)]
6.1 One member declared a specific personal interest.
6.2 CRD informed the Committee of prospects for future pesticides work in the light of Defra’s Evidence Investment Strategy for 2010–2013 and beyond.
6.3 Members agreed that there are a number of uncertainties, and stressed that positive engagement within the EU, at least at present levels, is critical to future pesticides work.
6.4 It was agreed that the Chairman would write to the Director General of Defra expressing the views of the ACP.
7. Agenda Item 7: Consultation on implementing EU pesticides legislation [ACP 9 (342/2010)]
7.1 One Member declared a personal specific interest.
7.2 In a wide ranging discussion, Members discussed responses to the questions raised in this consultation. Discussion would continue by email, and the Secretariat would draft a full response for agreement by Members.
8 Agenda Item 8: Draft Annual report [ACP 11 (342/2010)]
8.1 Members reviewed the amended version of the 2009 Annual Report first presented at the January Meeting of the ACP. Members agreed to suggest final changes by email, to enable the Secretariat to prepare a final version to be agreed with the Chairman before publication.
9 Agenda Item 9: Consideration of topics for the 2010 Open Meeting[ACP 21 (342/2010)]
9.1 Members discussed possible topics for the 2010 ACP Open Meeting to be held on 15 November 2010. They agreed to continue consideration by email to enable the Secretariat to provide a report for the next Meeting.
10 Report from the Environmental panel [ACP 19 (342/2010)]
10.1 The Chairman of the Environmental Panel presented a verbal report from the 106th Meeting held on 2 March 2010. Particular attention was drawn to the work on bees and pollinators which will be followed up later this year.
11. Agenda Item 10: Date of Next Meeting
11.1 ACP 343 on Tuesday 18 May 2010, commencing 11.00am, at Foss House, York.
12. Any Other Business
12.1 The Committee noted EFSA documents relating to operator worker and bystander guidance, and consultation on probabilistic methodology for consumer exposure.
12.2 Members considered the items for information received since the last meeting.
A R Leake
18 May 2010
