…while government reviews controls

16 July 1998

…while government reviews controls

THE GOVERNMENT is reviewing controls on the use of pesticides because of fears that children are at greater risk than adults.

Lord Donoughue, junior farm minister, said childrens immune systems and central nervous systems were not fully developed, meaning small doses affected them more than adults.

He said various studies were underway and results could be expected next year. However, he added that tests had shown less than 1% of produce showed signs of residues “at a level which we would consider of concern”.

• The Independent 16/07/98 page 4