HL Deb 06 November 1995 vol 566 cc187-8WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What explicit level of proof of chronic health effects on humans of low-level exposure to organophosphates they require before they will take preventative action, and how they expect this proof to be obtained.

Lord Lucas

This is a matter of scientific judgment. Any new scientific evidence would be considered by the independent Veterinary Products Committee, who are responsible for advising Ministers on such matters. On the basis of the evidence currently available, the Committee reaffirmed in July 1995 that the marketing of organophosphorus (OP) sheep dips should continue. A contract has now been awarded to the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Edinburgh to carry out an epidemiological study designed to detect well defined, predetermined chronic effects in humans of dipping sheep with OP products. This research, which is expected to be completed by April 1999 at a cost of half a million pounds, will contribute considerably to existing scientific information. In addition, a review of the current rules restricting the sale of organophosphorus sheep dips, including the certificate of competence scheme, is being undertaken by the Veterinary Products Committee at the end of this year.