HC Deb 18 July 1996 vol 281 cc634-5W
Mr. Chris Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many deaths amongst farmers and agricultural workers have been attributed to the use of organophosphate sheep dips and similar treatments since 1980. [37440)

Mrs. Browning

Under the suspected adverse reaction surveillance scheme, officials at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate are aware of a total of four deaths in connection with OP sheep dips since the records were computerised in 1984.

Mr. Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated which shows a correlation between the use of organophosphate sheep dips and similar treatments, and the incidence of suicide amongst farmers; and if he will make a statement. [37439]

Mr. Bowis

I have been asked to reply.

A three-year study by the institute of occupational medicine at Edinburgh university, to examine the neuropsychological effects of the use of organophosphate sheep dips, was commissioned jointly by the Department of Health, the Health and Safety Executive and the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, in November 1995. The study will seek to establish whether there are any links between abnormalities of the human nervous system and exposure to sheep dips.