Lindane withdrawn

21 July 2000

Lindane withdrawn

A CONTROVERSIAL pesticide which has been linked with cancer is to be withdrawn from agricultural use.

With Britains support the EU standing committee on plant health last week voted to ban organochlorine insecticide, Lindane.

The committee was concerned about health effects on users and a lack of evidence to show the pesticide is safe in the environment.

It has been linked to breast cancer, birth defects and damage to the immune system.

dressing in the UK last June but other uses were allowed to continue.

The pesticide will remain legal in domestic products such as ant killer.