§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 1 July 1999,Official Report, column 267, on a report from the Institute of Occupational Medicine on the effects of exposure to organophosphorous sheep dips, when he expects to receive advice from the Veterinary Products Committee; and if he will make a statement. [91660]
§ Mr. RookerI have received advice from the Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) on the implications of the IOM report for marketing authorisations of OPs and, in particular, OP sheep dips. A copy of the VPC's advice has been placed in the Library of the House.
I have accepted the VPC's recommendation that marketing authorisation holders should be asked to submit practical and workable plans to improve and standardise the design of sheep dip containers. If such plans are not submitted within three months, action will be commenced to revoke marketing authorisations.
263WI have also accepted recommendations on emphasising the importance of handling OP concentrate safely in advice to farmers and in training and the examination which leads to the issue of a Certificate of Competence. We are giving urgent consideration to the recommendation that handlers of OP sheep dip concentrate should be required to hold a Certificate of Competence.
The VPC made it clear that this is interim advice. The VPC will be offering further advice together with COT and the other independent advisory committees before the end of the year.