The final decision on approvals rests with Ministers who can refuse approval even if the Advisory Committee on Pesticides agree. Biocide Any substance or micro-organism, including a virus or a fungus, having general or specific action on or against harmful organisms e.g. mould killers. Biocides are the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive. The natural predators and parasites used to control pests, weeds and diseases. Such a substance may only be used as a pesticide if approval for such use has been given.
Examples are sulphuric acid and carbon dioxide.
The Consents are issued by Government Ministers and permit the advertisement, sale, storage and use of pesticides subject to certain conditions. These conditions set out general obligations for all pesticide users. They can be found in the blue book Pesticides 2000 . This new department will spearhead a major new drive on green issues and the countryside. It will sponsor the Environment Agency, the Countryside Agency and English Nature.