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DEFRA to consult on access to farm spray records

 
Tuesday 07 July 2009 12:34

DEFRA is to consult on how best to give the public access to farm spray records in the wake of the ruling on the Georgina Downs pesticide exposure case.

DEFRA secretary Hilary Benn said: "In view of the issues raised by Georgina Downs and the new European directive, we will consult this autumn on how to give people access to farmers' spray records.

"We also want to know how to give residents prior notification of spraying activity, and what else should be included - for example, monitoring and training - in our National Action Plan."

Commenting on the case Mr Benn said that he welcomed the Court of Appeal's judgement which agreed that the government had complied with its obligations under European law.

"In controlling pesticides, the protection of people's health is our priority. That is why we are already working to better assess bystander exposure to pesticides so that we can continue to improve our models," Mr Benn said.

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