Most of the pesticides mentioned in your article (UK fails to ban 36 harmful pesticides outlawed for use in EU, 13 September) are in fact not in use in the UK at all. A small number are allowed to be used in specific circumstances, but only with the approval of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following a detailed assessment. One substance was approved for use in the EU after being approved in the UK.
We make these decisions after thorough evaluation by experts and consideration of how pesticides are applied in the UK. Divergence between our country and the EU is inevitable now that we have an independent pesticides regime. A fall in environmental standards is absolutely not inevitable. The HSE is committed to continuing to protect people and the environment.
Dr Richard Daniels
Health and Safety Executive
