HL Deb 02 November 1994 vol 558 cc835-7

3.15 p.m.

The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they propose to fund the epidemiological study on the chronic effects of exposure to organophosphates in sheep dips asked for by the medical and scientific panel of the Veterinary Products Committee.

The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Howe)

My Lords, on 25th August the Government announced that this study, recommended by the medical and scientific panel, would be given priority and would, in principle, be publicly funded. I can confirm that, assuming suitable research proposals are forthcoming, public funding will be provided.

The Countess of Mar

My Lords, I am grateful for the Minister's Answer. I have asked for an epidemiological study for the past two years and here it is at last. When does the Minister expect the Institute of Occupational Medicines occupational health report from Birmingham University to be published; and how soon after that do the Government expect to set up the study?

Earl Howe

My Lords, the work currently being done in Birmingham is coming to a conclusion and we expect to receive the results in the next few weeks. We are currently drawing up the specification for the epidemiological study. We hope to publish that and invite proposals by the end of the year. The study will commence once suitable proposals have been identified and agreed. We are keen to see that happen as soon as possible.

Lord Carter

My Lords, if the study is to include information from doctors relating to the incidence of OP sheep dip poisoning, what information has been provided to doctors in order that they can distinguish that poisoning from other conditions which have similar symptoms?

Earl Howe

My Lords, the Chief Medical Officer has circulated general practitioners with a basic check list of symptoms. We believe that general practitioners are now much more alert to the condition. All reports made to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate are followed up with patients' GPs provided that permission is given by the patients. There is an appraisal panel of doctors and scientists from three government departments, including the Department of Health and the HSE, who regularly meet to assess cases. Summary reports are then put to the independent Veterinary Products Committee for evaluation.

Baroness Masham of Ilton

My Lords, do organophosphates show up in a blood test? Does the Minister agree that this is a highly complex matter? Will the study include other problems that farmers have— for instance, depression, accidents and so forth—that are resulting in an increasing number of suicides?

Earl Howe

My Lords, I am not sure that the last part of the noble Baroness's question is strictly relevant to the Question on the Order Paper. Organophosphates normally show up as metabolites in the urine. I am not aware of a specific blood test but I shall find out and write to her.

Lord Williams of Elvel

My Lords, will the Minister tell the House whether the study will encompass the effects of OP sheep dip effluent in rivers? We can then see whether there are any effects on those who live near affected rivers and on those who make a living in the rivers.

Earl Howe

My Lords, the methodology used to achieve the requirements that the medical and scientific panel has set out will depend on the proposals put forward by those who wish to tender. At this stage it is difficult to say what work will prove to be suitable and will be judged to be suitable.