WRITTEN QUESTION E-1287/02 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. The planting of oilseed rape.
Date: 2002-05-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: allergy, oil seed rape, plantation, public health, research results, residential area

C 78 E/688

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER
(Part 3)

(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 (cid:1)
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.

(1) OJ C 311, 2.12.1991.
(2) OJ C 159, 25.6.1992.
(3) OJ C 209, 15.8.1992.
(4) OJ C 32, 2.2.1994.
(5) OJ C 11, 13.1.1997.
(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.

(2004/C 78 E/0735)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2931/02

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(17 October 2002)

Subject: Priority for EU funding for high-speed rail

links in Spain that promote regional balance and

economic and social cohesion

The Commission is currently examining the case put forward by the ‘Teruel Existe’ citizens’ association
regarding a proposal to re-route the Spanish high-speed rail (AVE) link between Madrid and Levante
through Teruel (Petition 219/2001).