§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the report by the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Edinburgh into the effects of exposure to organophosphorous sheep dips will be published. [89848]
§ Mr. RookerThe Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) is today publishing its report on the effects of exposure to organophosphorous sheep dips.
The report identifies handling of OP sheep dip concentrates as the main source of potential exposure. It suggests that the identified exposure to concentrates was associated with an increased likelihood of ill-health in the groups studied.
268WThe report is being submitted immediately for consideration by the OP Working Group of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) which is reviewing the evidence on the possible ill-health effects of OPs. We expect to receive advice from COT, and from the other independent expert advisory committees on the implications of the COT advice, by the end of the year.
In addition, I have asked the Veterinary Products Committee and the Advisory Committee on Pesticides to consider urgently, in advance of the COT advice, whether the report has any immediate implications for approvals of OPs or whether further measures are necessary.
I have also written today to representatives of manufacturers seeking a meeting within the week to discuss what action they will be proposing in response to the report.
I am placing copies of the report in the Library of the House.