§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has about the impact of the cultivation of oil seed rape on human health or allergies; and if his Department will sponsor any research on this subject.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Department is aware that several studies were being conducted during the summer of 1989 into the possible links between oil seed rape and allergy. We will be interested in seeing the findings when the results are published in due course. The Department's view is that there is no conclusive proof of any link between the 683W growing of oil seed rape and the increase in the numbers of allergy, hay fever, and asthma sufferers. It is possible that other factors such as pollens from less visibly prominent sources are causal or contributory factors. The Department has no plans to sponsor any research in this area.