§ Mr. SpellerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will meet constituents of the hon. Member for Devon, North who suffer from the effects of using organophosphorous sheep dip compounds.
§ Mr. MacleanI met representatives from the Pesticides Exposure Group of Sufferers (PEGS) on 23 October 1990. I can see little advantage in having a further meeting at this time.
§ Mr. SpellerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many complaints he has received about the physical side effects of organophosphorous sheep dip compounds; if he will refuse future licences for these compounds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanI have received 63 reports since 1985 of suspected adverse reactions concerning the physical side effects to humans of organophosphorous sheep dips. Twelve of these reports relate to products no longer licensed. In addition I have recently received 18 brief reports from the National Poisons Centre which my officials are currently investigating. I am not yet able to say whether these reports include duplicates of those mentioned above.
These 63 reports should be set in the context of more than 1 million dippings since 1985.
All suspected adverse reaction reports are investigated. Future licence applications for such compounds will continue to be determined in accordance with the Medicines Act criteria of safety, quality and efficacy. Existing organophosphorous sheep dip products are currently being reviewed to see whether they meet up-to-date standards. Any products which fail to do so will have to be withdrawn from the market. The review will be completed later this year.