§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies he has commissioned into the medical impact on the population of planting of oilseed rape; what controls are applied to planting of oilseed rape; and if he will make a statement. [125396]
§ Ms QuinThe most recent study funded by MAFF was conducted by the Medical Research Council Institute for Environment and Health (IEH), University of Leicester. This took stock of UK and foreign research and was held in conjunction with medical experts to review the epidemiological studies and consider what, if any, further research was needed.
The study concluded from the available evidence that sensitisation to oilseed rape pollen alone, in the absence of sensitisation to other pollens or other common allergens, appeared to be rare.
There are no legal restrictions on the growing of oilseed rape. Oilseed rape is widely grown in the UK and in other member states. It forms part of a cereals rotation and is a valuable crop in its own right.