HL Deb 23 March 1994 vol 553 cc665-6

2.40 p.m.

The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food had a laboratory at the former Chemical Research Establishment at Nancekuke, Cornwall.

The Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne

My Lords, on the night of 11th September 1982 a fire destroyed the Ministry's animal health office at Redruth, Cornwall. It was necessary to find alternative premises very quickly. Vacant accommodation was available in the Nancekuke laboratory at RAF Portreath and staff of the animal health office moved in on 13th September 1982. Subsequently, the old hospital on site was refurbished for their use. On 5th October 1987 the animal health office was relocated to a new Crown building at Pydar House in Truro.

The Countess of Mar

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. Does he recall the comment of the noble Lord, Lord Zuckerman, on 9th February 1993? He said: Perhaps I may remind your Lordships that organophosphorous compounds are the nerve gas compounds". In reply the noble Earl, Lord Howe, said that certain nerve gas compounds were developed. He added: However, they incorporate organophosphate compounds which are different from those used in sheep dips; they are not the same at all".—[Official Report, 9/2/93; col. 526.] The Minister gave a date in the 1980s when MAFF had offices at Nancekuke. However, I understand that it had laboratories there in the 1950s. At that time ICI had developed a product called Amiton. It was produced at Nancekuke and for a year was sold to farmers as a pesticide. After that it was found to be too dangerous. Amiton was also used for military purposes as VG—

Noble Lords

Question !

The Countess of Mar

My Lords, does the Minister deny that those two compounds—a pesticide and a chemical weapon—are interchangeable? Does he further deny that organophosphates are designed to work on the central nervous system of pests, whether the pests are insects (pesticides) or human enemies?

The Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne

My Lords, I do not believe that the House has been misled. There is no parallel between nerve agents and modern-day sheep dips and pesticides. With respect to the noble Countess, we cannot compare the situation of the 1950s with that of the 1990s. In the immediate post-war years, maximising food production was seen as paramount and safety standards for agricultural chemicals had yet to be developed. Advances in scientific understanding since then have led to the more hazardous products being withdrawn. We now have in place legislation which requires all pesticide and sheep-dip products to meet rigorous standards before they are allowed to be marketed.

Earl Russell

My Lords, to whom were the MAFF staff at Nancekuke responsible? To whom did they report and from which departmental budget were their research and personnel costs paid?

The Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne

My Lords, as far as I know, it was MAFF. However, if I am wrong about that I shall write to the noble Earl.

The Countess of Mar

My Lords, the Minister will be well aware that I am concerned with the long-term damage caused by exposure to organophosphates. Is he aware of any instances of people at Nancekuke being damaged by organophosphates produced there and of any research that has been done into the long-term symptoms that they are suffering?

The Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne

My Lords, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate is aware of only two deaths. The first was a suicide which arose from drinking sheep-dip concentrate. The second was a heart attack following dipping. That was assessed by the appraisal panel of doctors and scientists which examines such cases. It was found to be unrelated to exposure to sheep-dip chemicals.

In answer to the noble Countess's second point, the Government do not have historical records dating back to the 1950s.

Lord Gallacher

My Lords, is MAFF currently engaged in organophosphate research at establishments maintained by it and, if so, does the Minister know where those establishments are?

The Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne

My Lords, that question is a little wide of the one on the Order Paper. There is certainly nothing happening at Nancekuke, which is now shut. However, there may well be research taking place at other laboratories in the country.