WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2976/97 by Joaquín SISÓ CRUELLAS to the Commission. Health of farmers in the EU
Date: 1997-09-17
Institutions: European Parliament, SISO CRUELLAS
Subjects: EU programme, application of EU law, farmer, health policy, health risk, infectious disease, occupational health, occupational safety

C 117/120

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16. 4. 98

(98/C 117/152)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2976/97

by Joaqu(cid:14)·n Siso· Cruellas (PPE) to the Commission

(17 September 1997)

Subject: Health of farmers in the EU

The men and women who work in the fields of Europe are exposed to numerous diseases related to their work.
One  of  the  most  widespread  occupational  diseases  in  the  countryside  is  brucellosis  (also  known  as  undulant
fever) which is transmitted by contact, via airborne bacteria or through ingestion of dairy products derived from
the  milk  of  infected  animals.There  are  other  diseases  of  infectious  origin  as  well,  such  as  tuberculosis
(transmitted via the milk of sick cows) and carbuncles, and also ones of parasitic origin, not to mention animal
and  insect  bites.  Moreover,  the  use  (and  misuse)  of  everyday  machinery  (certain  tools,  engines,  mowing
machines,  etc.)  produces  vibration  which,  if  experienced  constantly  and  intensively,  can  cause  significant
damage  to  bone  and  muscle.  Excessive  exposure  to  the  sun  and  health  problems  caused  by  the  handling  of
chemicals  are  also  a  significant  factor  and  can  give  rise  to  skin  complaints.  Lastly,  high  stress  levels  affect
women farm workers in particular  since  they often work outside the farm as well as performing agricultural
tasks, running a household and bringing up children.

In view of the fact that prevention campaigns need to be significantly broadened in order to minimize (and as
much as possible prevent) the impact which such diseases may have on farm workers, could the Commission say
whether there are any Community initiatives designed to alleviate (and ultimately resolve) this state of affairs?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(10 November 1997)

The Commission is fully aware of the occupational risks to which farm workers are exposed.

There is an extensive corpus of European legislation concerned with the safety and health of workers, including
farm workers. Directive 89/391/EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety
and health of workers at work (1) applies to all sectors of activity, including agriculture. Moreover, Directive
90/679/EEC on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents at work (2) (amended
subsequently by Directive 93/88/EEC (3) and by Directive 95/30/EEC (4)) lays down measures to be applied to
activities in which workers are exposed or are liable to be exposed to biological agents such as those mentioned
in the question.

Commission Recommendation No 90/326/EEC concerning the adoption of a European schedule of occupational
diseases (5), addressed to the Member States, includes several diseases mentioned by the Honourable Member,
such as brucellosis, tuberculosis and infectious or parasitic diseases transmitted to man by animals or animal
remains.

Within  the  context  of  the  Community  programme  on  safety,  hygiene  and  health  at  work  (1996-2000),  the
Commission, with the aid of the information supplied by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work,
will examine whether other measures need to be introduced in the future.

(1)  OJ L 183, 29.6.1989.
(2)  OJ L 374, 31.12.1990.
(3)  OJ L 268, 29.10.1993.
(4)  OJ L 155, 6.7.1995.
(5)  OJ L 160, 26.6.1990.