§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have compared the results of research into the causes of illness suffered by farm workers who have come into contact with organophosphate sheep dips with the results of research into the causes of undiagnosed Gulf War illnesses; and, if so, what conclusions they have drawn. [HL3625]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Donoughue)The independent scientific Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) advises Ministers on veterinary medicines, including organophosphorus (OP) sheep dips. A sub-committee of the VPC, the Medical and Scientific Panel (MSP), considers and advises on the results of research into the effects on humans of OPs. Information on OPs research is exchanged between the departments concerned through a liaison group of which the Ministry of Defence is a member.
I am advised the Ministry of Defence has noted the publication of the Institute of Occupational Medicine report into the effects of exposure to organophosphate sheep dips and is studying the report carefully to assess whether its findings have any bearing on the MOD's own considerations of organophosphates in the context of Gulf veterans' illnesses