HL Deb 13 May 1993 vol 545 cc1367-8

3.25 p.m.

The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to ensure that the work of various research groups into the long-term effects of organophosphate poisoning on humans is co-ordinated.

Earl Howe

My Lords, the Health and Safety Executive has initiated meetings of the main UK research groups concerned with the long-term effects of organophosphate poisoning on humans to ensure co-ordination of the work.

The Countess of Mar

My Lords, I thank the noble Earl for the gracious way in which he always gives me a full answer to my questions, both written and oral. He is indeed a gentleman. Will he bear in mind that the object of my questions is to help people who are currently suffering from organophosphate poisoning and to prevent future suffering? Will he please say why, in spite of the letter that I have had from the Health and Safety Executive, Dr. Jamal at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow has not yet been contacted? There seems to be no co-ordination with people who are actually suffering; there has been no epidemiological study; and there seems to be a flat refusal to undertake any study on the dangers of inhalation. The manufacturers say in their data sheets that there is a danger from inhalation and yet they are not prepared to take action on the matter.

Earl Howe

My Lords, there is, as the noble Countess will know, a plethora of research being undertaken at the moment funded by the Government and other bodies. We are awaiting the results of that research. Interim results, at the very least, should be available by October when the VPC is due to meet again to complete its review of OP products. With regard to the risk of inhalation, the Government have consistently accepted the advice of the Veterinary Products Committee. That advice is reflected in the new safety leaflet which we are in the course of distributing this week. The advice has been consistent over the years. It is up to each individual farmer to undertake a COSHH assessment prior to a dipping operation so as to identify any particular hazards which may need to be addressed. In some circumstances respiratory equipment may be necessary.

Lord Carter

My Lords, since a study in the Lancet as long ago as 1961 showed the chronic effects of OP poisoning and exposure on farmers and others, and as they are exactly the same effects as we are seeing now—this was backed up by a guidance note from the Health and Safety Executive in 1987—does the Minister agree that a lack of co-ordination of research and a lack of funding may well have contributed to the problems that we now face?

Earl Howe

My Lords, I do not accept that. The initial reports that we had in the 1950s and 1960s were concerned with worker safety at that time when agricultural and chemical products were at a far less sophisticated stage of development. In those early days products coming on to the market were not subject to prior government approval and the manufacturing process did not contain the same safeguards against impurities as it does now. I believe that we have responded to current concerns with speed and with the necessary funding.

Baroness Masham of Ilton

My Lords, how many people are now suffering from the results of organophosphate poisoning?

Earl Howe

My Lords, I do not have precise figures. But if they are obtainable, I shall write to the noble Baroness.

The Countess of Mar

My Lords, perhaps I may ask the noble Earl again why there has been no epidemiological study, which is a study of the number of people suffering from organophosphate poisoning? Why are the Government consistently refusing, even when they are offered help, to carry out such a study? There is a wealth of information out there. People who are suffering know how they originally became contaminated and what treatment helps them best. I ask the Minister again, please, to look again at this matter.

Earl Howe

My Lords, I shall look again at the point which the noble Countess raises. The HSE has commissioned a number of pieces of research: first of all, into the possible chronic neuro-psychological effects of occupational exposure to OP products in sheep farmers and, secondly, into the frequency and severity of pesticide poisoning incidents and whether they can result in long-term health effects. As I am sure the noble Countess will agree, those are the crucial questions. It is the results from that research, at least on an interim basis, which we hope to have later in the year.