Oil Seed Rape (Hansard, 25 June 1991)

§ Mr. Kirkwood
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is issued by the chief medical officers to individuals living in close proximity to flowering crops of oil seed rape.

§ Mr. Dorrell
No such guidance is issued, and there are no plans to do so. Treatment for allergy is a matter for discussion between the patient and his or her clinician.

§ Mr. Kirkwood
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any evidence of potentially adverse effects on the health of individuals who live or work in the vicinity of flowering crops of oil seed rape during the months of May and June.

§ Mr. Dorrell
Some individuals may be allergic to the pollen and other products of oil seed rape, as they are to other crops and plants. There is no conclusive evidence of increases in allergic conditions in vicinities where this crop is cultivated.

§ Mr. Kirkwood
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list in theOfficial Report any occupational health studies current, planned or in progress to determine whether flowering crops of oil seed rape cause adverse health effects on those who live or work near fields planted with the crop.

§ Mr. Dorrell
The Government have given financial support for a project based at Aberdeen university examining the possible effects on public health which might be associated with oil seed rape. The results of this study will not be known for some time.