On "Farming Today" on BBC Radio 4 this morning Tim Farron MP talked about a report written as long ago as 1951 by Lord Zuckerman. In the report Zuckerman warns of the dangers of organophosphates (OPs), and referred to the hazards to sheep dippers. He also recommended to the British government that anyone handling these chemicals should be warned of their dangers, have suitable protection and have medical checks once a week.

For about 20 years from the 1960s the government made the use of OPs in sheep dip compulsory and failed to heed any of these warnings. Many sheep farmers have been made seriously ill from the effects of these extremely toxic chemicals, and Mr Farron maintains that the government have been negligent in providing proper legislation to protect the farmers.

The same problem exists today with OPs being used in aero engine oil. We know OPs get into the aircraft cabin through the air conditioning system from the engines and aircrew and passengers are being exposed to these toxins. And as with the sheep dippers, many people have lost their health though OPs. The government has known this for decades, and still fails to act.

Zuckerman Reports Commentary from OPRUS on three reports by Lord Zuckerman, plus links to the reports themselves