§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many cases of human poisoning by organophosphates, and in particular sheep dip, have been reported to the Ministry of Agriculture; and the date records began.
The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Howe)The Veterinary Medicines Directorate is responsible for analysing data on suspected adverse reactions to veterinary medicines, including sheep dips. In the period since records have been kept, from 1st January 1985 to 29th May 1992, 240 reports involving organophosphorous sheep dips have been received concerning 324 people. One hundred and seventy-nine of these reports have been received since 1st January 1991.
The Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 are enforced on agricultural premises by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under an agency agreement between Ministers and the Health and Safety Commission. Copies of the yearly reports on pesticides incidents investigated by HSE are deposited in the House of Commons Library.