§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has of the number of farmers and farm workers disabled following exposure to organophosphates; and if he will make a statement. [32454]
§ Mrs. BrowningThe Department has information of reported suspected adverse reactions to organophosphates used in agriculture. Suspected adverse reactions involving veterinary medicines are notified to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. In the period between 1 January 1985 and 31 May 1996 a total of 681 reports involving human suspected adverse reactions to organophosphorus sheep dips and 20 involving OP warblecides were received by the VMD. Details of cases examined by the appraisal panel for human suspected adverse reactions to veterinary medicines are set out in the published annual reports of the panel for 1993 and 1994, which are available in the Library of the House. Suspected adverse reactions involving pesticides are reported to the Health and Safety Executive, and my Department is informed. There were 29 cases of suspected organophosphate poisoning from pesticides in Great Britain in 1993–94 and 43 in 1994–95. "Pesticides Incidents Investigated in 1993–94/1994–95—A Report by the Fields Operations Division of the Health and Safety Executive" is also available in the Library of the House.