§ Mrs. GormanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much the Government have spent in the last five years on research into the effects of pesticides based on organophosphorus compounds on the health of(a) cattle and (b) those working in the farming and horticulture industries. [38201]
§ Mr. RookerApplications for authorisations for veterinary medicines and pesticides are assessed against statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy. Safety includes the health and welfare of the treated animal and the user of the product. Research required to satisfy these criteria forms part of the information submitted by applicants and is paid for by them.
No MAFF-funded research has been carried out into the effects of organophosphorus (OP) compounds on the health of cattle.
In the past five years, the Government have commissioned work costing £3.6 million into the effects of OP pesticides on the health of those working in the farming and horticulture industries. In addition to this, the Institute of Occupational Medicine has been awarded £500,000 funded jointly by MAFF, the Department of
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§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 6 April 1998]: The information requested, relating to research proposals submitted by the Central Science Laboratory to my Department, for funding in 1996–97 and 1997–98, is detailed.
Health and the Health and Safety Executive to research the possible long-term human health effects of OP sheep dips. Additional work on the effects of OP pesticides has been carried out separately by Research Councils.