Archived press release

Eu bans lindane...almost!

13 July 2000

The European Union today voted to ban lindane. The decision, which took place at the EU Standing Committee on Plant Health in Brussels was supported by the UK Government. The ban will cover all agricultural and gardening applications of this dangerous pesticide, but doesn't prevent its continued use in domestic products such as ant killer. Campaigners are now calling on the Government to ban lindane completely.

Today's decision, which will come into effect in 12-18 months time has been warmly welcomed by the Lindane Campaign Group - Friends of the Earth, the Pesticides Action Network,UNISON, the Women's Environmental Network, the Soil Association, Green Network and Breast UK - which has repeatedly called on the Government to ban this dangerous pesticide in the UK because of its potential danger to human health and the environment. Lindane has been described by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a possible human carcinogen and has been linked with breast cancer and birth defects.

Sandra Bell, Pesticides Campaigner of Friends of the Earth said:
“This is fantastic news. Lindane is a dangerous chemical that threatens human health and the environment. We are delighted that the UK Government has backed a Europe-wide ban. It now needs to move quickly to implement the ban and prevent its use in domestic products as well.”

David Buffin, of Pesticides Action Network UK said:
“We have been warning for many years that Lindane should be banned. At long last we are being listened to. This pesticide was developed in the 1940s when cheap and relatively hazardous chemicals were considered acceptable. It should have no place in the 21st century”.

Jill Day of UNISON said
“This is a major victory for the campaign to ban lindane. This shows what can be achieved when consumers and public interest groups come together.”

Helen Lynn of Women's Environmental Network (WEN) said:
“Whilst we welcome today's decision we are disappointed that the public will still be exposed to this dangerous chemical in the home”.

Notes: Today's vote follows a 1998 EU report (conducted by Austria) which concluded that there was no safe limit of exposure for lindane and recommended a Europe-wide ban.

A briefing on lindane is available from the FOE press office.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust