Evidence that oilseed R. causes respiratory illness in rural dwellers - Sco Med J. 1995; 40: 074-76.
Parratt D, Macfarlane Smith WH, Thomson G, Cameron LA, Butcher RD.

[Extract from published research paper]
"...We believe that this study has clearly demonstrated that oilseed R. induces symptoms in a significant proportion of otherwise healthy individuals".

Perhaps a starting point should be UK government recognition that oilseed R. (rapeseed/canola) is most definitely a hazard to human health and it therefore should be taking precautions to protect public health by introducing exclusion zones around residential areas, until clear proof has been established that oilseed R. is not responsible for widespread allergy/respiratory type symptoms.

The precautionary principle (EC legislation) demands that public health be put before commercial industry until the product (oilseed R. crops) are proven beyond reasonable doubt to be non-hazardous to public health in respect of the airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by the vast fields of oilseed R.

It is a travesty. Here we are in the 21st Century and it would appear that the UK government is unwilling to protect public health. This is despite numerous scientific papers published in the medical journals clearly stressing that a problem does indeed exist.

It is generally accepted by the scientists that the exact causal agent from oilseed R has still to be confirmed, but this should not stop the imposing of restrictions in order to protect public health.

Scientists only need to look to research in Occupational Medicine and Health & Safety for evidence of allergy/respiratory symptoms caused by VOCs. This link is well established and clearly recorded in the learned journals.

It begs the question - when will the UK government consider the impact that fields of oilseed R. must have on the quality of life for the young, the elderly, asthmatics and the immuno-compromised in our rural communities