HC Deb 14 March 1996 vol 273 cc735-6W
Mr. Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the findings of project FF382, carried out by the Scottish Crop Research Institute on the characterisation of oil seed rape; when it will be published; and what correlation the study found between oil seed rape and allergies. [20553]

Mr. Raymond S. Robertson

[holding answer 13 March 1996]: The objective of the study was to determine the existence, identification, nature and mobility of volatile chemicals and pollen emitted by oil seed rape, and fungal spores from the crop, which are possible causes of an allergic response in humans, and to purify and standardise them for use in any clinical tests carried out. The study concluded that evidence that the crop can cause such problems has been obtained although as yet the precise cause or causes have not been identified. The study reports that some people react to pollen and fungal spores, but not in the numbers indicated by the percentage of study populations expressing symptoms, most of which showed no correlation with pollen or fungal exposure. The results indicated that agrochemicals seem unlikely to be involved in producing the symptoms. The study concluded that the most likely causes of allergic response in man appear to be volatile organic compounds, although categorical proof of the involvement of one or more is required. The study therefore recommends that further research in a number of areas is required.

Results from the study have already been published. Refereed papers include:

  1. 1. Robertson, G. W., Griffiths, D. W., Macfarlane Smith, W. H. and Butcher, R.D., 1993. The application of thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to the analyses of flower volatiles from five varieties of oilseed rape (Brassica napus spp. oleifera). Phytochemical Analysis 4, 152–157.
  2. 2. Butcher, R. D., Macfarlane Smith, W. H., Robertson, G. W. and Griffiths, D. W. (1994). The identification of potential aeroallergen/irritant(s) from oilseed rape (Brassica napus spp. oleifera): volatile organic compounds emitted during flowering progression. Clinical and Experimental Allergy 24, 1105–1114.
  3. 3. Parrat, D., Macfarlane Smith, W. H., Thompson, G., Cameron, L. A. and Butcher, R. D. (1995). Evidence that oilseed rape (Brassica napus spp. oleifera) causes respiratory illness in rural dwellers, Scottish Medical Journal 40, 74–76.
  4. 4. Butcher, R. D., Goodman, B. A. and Deighton, N. (1995). Evaluation of the allergic/irritant potential of air pollutants. Detection of proteins modified by volatile organic compounds from oilseed rape (Brassica napus spp. oleifera) using electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry. Clinical and Experimental Allergy 25, 985–992.

In addition, the results of the research have been presented at a number of scientific meetings and in technical notes; to relevant agricultural trade bodies; and other bodies. A number of other publications are in preparation.

Mr. Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken, and what sums the Government have spent to address the health risks of oil seed rape; and if he will make a statement. [20554]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 13 March 1996]: The Scottish Office has funded the three-year research study by the Scottish Crop Research Institute into the volatile chemicals etcetera emitted by oil seed rape, at a cost of some £235,000. In addition, a research grant of £63,000 was awarded to Professor Anthony Seaton and colleagues at Aberdeen university in support of a three-year study into the health effects of oil seed rape.

The results of the latter study indicated that the health effects were slight. However, we are considering the implications of these studies with a view to determining what further research into the health effects might be useful and appropriate.