Firms ‘export toxic pesticides banned in UK’
MORE than 12,000 tons of pesticides banned for use on UK farms have been exported by British firms, campaigners have claimed.
The substances containing seven different outlawed chemicals were shipped by companies in 2020, according to data obtained by Greenpeace and Swiss campaign group Public Eye.
They included a weedkiller banned in 2007 when studies linked it to Parkinson’s disease and a neonicotinoid forbidden in 2018 for use outdoors because it harms bees.
The exports are legal because of loopholes in UK law allowing firms to continue producing pesticides for export despite them being illegal in Britain.
Doug Parr, Greenpeace UK’s chief scientist, said: “The Government is behaving like a drug baron with the motto ‘don’t get high on your own supply’.
“These double standards are deeply cynical and morally indefensible.
“Far from acting like an environmental leader, the UK government is failing to keep up with the European Commission, who have rightly committed to ending export of these banned chemicals.”
The groups obtained the data through a Freedom of Information request to the Health and Safety Executive, which regulates UK exports of prohibited chemicals. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “In the case of neonicotinoids and other chemicals, the UK goes above the international standard, requiring exporting companies to confirm with countries that they have accepted any imports before [shipping].
“This allows importing countries to make informed decisions.”