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Document 92002E001287
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1287/02 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. The planting of oilseed rape.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1287/02 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. The planting of oilseed rape.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1287/02 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. The planting of oilseed rape.
OJ C 78E, 27.3.2004, p. 688–688
(ES, DA, DE, EL, EN, FR, IT, NL, PT, FI, SV)
|
27.3.2004 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
CE 78/688 |
(2004/C 78 E/0734)
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1287/02
by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission
(7 May 2002)
Subject: The planting of oilseed rape
Is the Commission aware of any research into the effects on human health of oilseed rape cultivation — especially where it is grown in proximity to habitation?
Are there any plans to control the planting of this crop within close proximity of human habitation?
Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission
(28 June 2002)
Similar written questions were put in 1991, 1992 and again in 1996 (E-1452/91 by Mr McCubbin (1), E-2414/91 by Mrs Ewing (2), E-2415/91 by Mrs Ewing (3), E-611/92 by Mr Raffin (4), E-2146/96 by Mrs McNally (5)). The Commission is not aware of a consensus within the scientific community on the matter raised in the Honourable Member's question. The Commission knows that there is some concern about the possible links between allergic symptoms in humans and the crop of oilseed rape and can confirm that several studies have been carried out on this subject (6), in particular by the Scottish Crops Research Institute and the University of Dundee (7). Given the result of the published papers, no conclusive evidence is available to demonstrate a direct cause effect on human health from oilseed rape cultivation.
(6) Butcher RD, Goodman BA, Deighton N, Smith WH. Evaluation of the allergic/irritant potential of air pollutants: detection of proteins modified by volatile organic compounds from oilseed rape (Brassica napus ssp. Oleifera) using electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Cli Exp Allergy Oct 1995; 25(10): 985-92. Hemmer W, Focke M, Wantke F, Jager S, Gotz M, Jarisch R. Oilseed rape pollen is a potential relevant allergen. Cli Exp Allergy. Feb 1997; 27(2): 156-161Hemmer W. The health effects of oilseed rape: myth or reality? BMJ. 1998; 316: 1327-28 Soutar A, Harker C, Seaton A, Brooke M, Marr I. Oilseed rape and seasonal symptoms: epidemiological and environmental studies. Thorax, 1994; Vol 49: 352-56. Soutar A, Harker C, Seaton A, Packe G. Oilseed rape and bronchial reactivity. Occup Environ Med. Sep 1995; 52 575-580 Welch J, Jones MG, Cullinam P, Coates OA, Newman Taylor AJ. Sensitization to oilseed rape is not due to cross-reactivity with grass pollen Cli Exp Allergy. Mar 2000; 30(3): 370-375.
(7) McEvan M, Macfarlane Smith WH. Identification of volatile organic compounds emitted in the field by oilseed rape (Brassica napus ssp. Oleifera) over the growing season. Cli Exp Allergy. 1998; 28: 332-38 Parratt D, Macfarlane Smith WH, Thomson G, Cameron LA, Butcher RD. Evidence that oilseed rape (Brassica napus spp. Oleifera) causes respiratory illness in rural dwellers; Sco Med J. 1995; 40: 074-76.