HC Deb 15 November 1989 vol 160 cc360-1W
Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take any steps to encourage the breeding and production of varieties of oilseed rape which minimise the dispersal of pollen and other airborne material into the atmosphere.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

If it were shown conclusively that existing varieties of oilseed rape caused serious problems for human health we would consider what measures were necessary to tackle the problem. The breeding of varieties with specific properties could be one such measure.

Mr. Andrew Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what conclusions his Department has reached on the results of the oilseed rape research project funded by Angus district council and Ninewells hospital on the relationship between oilseed rape crop and allergies, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what research or investigation his Department has made into the health problems connected with the oilseed rape crop; what finance has been allocated to such projects; and what plans he has to develop further the recent research financed by Angus district council and Ninewells hospital.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

I received on 25 October a copy of the report of a project undertaken by Mr. Cameron, Dr. Parratt and Dr. Macfarlane-Smith. I am arranging for the report to be evaluated.

The Scottish Home and Health Department is currently considering an application for funding research relating to the alleged health problems connected with the oilseed rape crop.

Pollen from many plants, grasses and trees are known to produce allergenic symptoms and the relative importance of oilseed rape pollen as an allergen has still to be determined.

Mr. Andrew Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research his Department is undertaking or commissioning into developing less allergy-inducing strains of oilseed rape.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland is not engaged in, and has not so far commissioned, such research. The priority to be given to any proposals for adding work in this area to the Department's programme of commissioned research and development would depend on a number of factors, including the extent to which the claimed adverse effects of oilseed rape on human health had been confirmed.