Lindane pesticide could be banned

An EU report detailing new concerns about the use of the pesticide lindane in cereal production and in other consumer products is likely to see stringent new curbs on its use, and possibly a Union-wide ban by the European Commission.

The report it commissioned urges its restriction pending further research, notably on its possible association with cancers. Details of its findings were disclosed by BBC Newsnight last week. The Department of Agriculture has indicated it is to examine the latest evidence and respond this week.

Lindane is mostly used a seed dressing but can also be found in medicinal shampoos and paints. It has been linked with breast cancer though much evidence of the link is disputed. EU experts have, however, been closely examining this latest report by scientists in Austria. Lindane is banned in 15 countries and restricted in 20 others.

Food safety bodies must review pesticide control and monitoring arrangements in Ireland in the light of the renewed concerns about lindane, according to Green MEP Ms Nuala Ahern. She said Ireland should ban its use, especially as "the last pesticide report available [for 1997] shows residues of lindane were found in 34.5 per cent of Irish cereal samples".