Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support banana-producing countries affected by the UK’s pesticide regulations; and whether his Department will help such countries identify sustainable alternatives to Mancozeb.

The decision to withdraw the use of the fungicide mancozeb in Great Britain does not immediately affect banana-producing countries.

The UK Government recognises the importance that bilateral trade between the UK and banana-producing countries plays, in boosting growth and ensuring regional stability. The UK is open to discussing the concerns of our trade partners.

The UK also supports international efforts to reduce the use of the most hazardous pesticides and promote the use of sustainable alternatives, through mechanisms such as the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC). The GFC is a multistakeholder framework which, amongst other things, encourages the transition to safer alternatives and sustainable approaches.