Hi John,
I can't quote specific references, but there has been a raging
controversy on this subject for years. The controversy surrounds the
use of OrganoPhosphate (OP) insecticides. I am pretty sure they are
NOT banned yet, but farmers are no longer COMPELLED to use them. In
addition, strict conditions are now attached to their use. The
controversy flared up when they were used in the Gulf war (I can't
remember in which context) and service personnel have since complained of
ill effects.
The controversy appears to have been prolonged by politics. The
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) compelled farmers
to use them, without any warnings, so cannot admit they are harmful
as the government would then face potential huge compensation claims
(these products were also compulsory for cattle for a while during
the eradication of warble fly). On the other hand, the Health and
Safety Executive (HSE) classes them as harmful (in terms of
Pesticides law, 'harmful' has a specific meaning - I think I have got
the classification correct). I am not sure where the Department
of Health (or whatever it is called) stand. MAFF appears to have
engaged in similar mis-information strategies to those used for BSE,
but over a much longer period.
Coverage of this issue has been ongoing in the farming press and some
of the broadsheets. For more detailed information you could try
Farmers Weekly, Quadrant House, Sutton, Surrey. I have found them
invariably helpful.
Mike.
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