Catalogue description Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: Safety Divisions: Registered Files, Farm Safety (SW Series)

The series is concerned with statutory and voluntary methods of improving the safety of agricultural workers, and others (e.g. consumers and wildlife) who might be endangered by dangerous farming practices, and in particular pesticides. From 1966 the SW series being principally concerned with pesticides safety matters.

Subjects include:

The implementation of the Agriculture (Poisonous Substances) Act 1952 and the Agriculture (Safety, Health and Welfare Provisions) Act 1956; the preparation and application of Safety Regulations under these Acts; and the organisation, training and supervision of the regional Safety Inspectorate (until 1962 part of the Safety and Wages Inspectorate). Administration and amendment of various voluntary safety schemes with agricultural chemicals manufacturers etc., notably the Pesticides Safety Precautions Scheme (1957-1962 the Notification of Pesticides Scheme) and the Agricultural Chemicals Approval Scheme (until 1960 the Crop Protection Products Approval Scheme).

Involvement in the work of the inter-departmental Advisory Committee on Poisonous Substances used in Agriculture and Food Storage (from 1964 the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and Other Toxic Chemicals), its Scientific Sub-Committee, Veterinary Products Panel, and other panels and working parties. Collection of farm accident information and statistics; and safety propaganda. Liaison and co-operation with other interested UK and European bodies. Investigation of risks to wildlife.

Includes re-registered (pre-1956) papers from the SLY series (a predecessor series to SW), which is in MAF 47 and MAF 228

Minutes and papers of the committees which advised on the various pesticide control schemes are in MAF 371

Records of meetings 1-40 of the Science Sub-Committee of the Advisory Committee on Poisonous Substances used in Agriculture and Food Storage are at MAF 214