§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she plans to set up a panel to evaluate research into reports of long-term health effects arising from exposure to organophosphorus sheep dips; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesDr. D. N. Bateman BSc, MBBS, MRCS, MD, FRCP, consultant physician of Freeman hospital,818W Newcastle upon Tyne; reader in therapeutics; and medical director of the northern region drug and therapeutics centre, has agreed to chair a panel to look into reports of long-term health effects claimed to arise from organophosphorus—OP—sheep dip exposure. In its recent advice, the Veterinary Products Committee pointed to a lack of firm scientific evidence to support any such link, but nevertheless considered that knowledge of potential toxicity should be enhanced. The committee went on to recommend the setting up of a panel of independent medical and scientific experts to address this question, and the Government accepted the recommendation.
The terms of reference of the panel, which will act as a sub-committee to the Veterinary Products Committee, will be:
- to evaluate research currently available, and in progress, on OP sheep dip products in relation to possible human exposure:
- to advise on any additional work that may be needed to elucidate the potential long term effects on humans of OP sheep dips;
- to advise on the suitability of any projects submitted for research; and
- to report findings to the Veterinary Products Committee, as its sub-committee.
Prospective members of the panel are now being approached and invited to serve. A further announcement will be made once the panel's composition has been finalised.
The Government treat with the utmost seriousness any suggestion of potential harm to human health. I am sure that the panel's work will make a valuable contribution in adding to our state of knowledge in this field.