§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of recent research on the effect on the nervous system of exposure to organophosphates. [126036]
§ Ms QuinA Working Group of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) undertook an in-depth study in 1998 and 1999 of whether exposure to low doses of organophosphorus compounds can cause long-term adverse health effects. The Working Group considered the most recent research in this area. The COT' s Report to Ministers was published on 26 November 1999 and copies were placed in the Library of the House. Presentations from researchers working on OPs were made to a8W Scientific Workshop on 28 March 2000 which was organised by the Government. We hope shortly to call for proposals for further research in this important area.