Organophosphorus Sheep Dips (Hansard, 13 July 1999)

§ Lord Donoughue

On 1 July 1999 the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) published its report on the effects of exposure to organophosphorus sheep dips. The report identifies handling of OP sheep dip concentrates as the main source of potential exposure. It suggests that the identified exposure to concentrates was associated with an increased likelihood of ill-health in the groups studied. The report is being submitted immediately for consideration by the OP Working Group of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) which is reviewing the evidence on the possible ill-health effects of OPs. We expect to receive advice from COT, and from the other independent expert advisory committees on the implications of the COT advice, by the end of the year. In addition, we have asked the Veterinary Products Committee and the Advisory Committee on Pesticides to consider urgently, in advance of the COT advice, whether the report has any immediate implications for approvals of OPs or whether further measures are necessary.

On 1 July my honourable friend the Minister of State also wrote to representatives of manufacturers seeking an early meeting to discuss what action they will be proposing in response to the report. We have placed copies of the report in the Library of the House.