Written question asked by Tom Tugendhat (Conservative) on Monday, 1 June 2020, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 June 2020. It was answered by Rebecca Pow (Conservative) on Wednesday, 10 June 2020 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Oilseed Rape: Health Hazards

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what protections are provided by (a) the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and (b) other legislation to residents who have increased medical needs as a result of the planting of oil seed rape near their properties.

Answer: The issue of the impact of oilseed rape on health, specifically in relation to allergies, is kept under review by Defra. Based on the scientific evidence currently available, there would be no justification for regulating the planting and growing of oilseed rape. Defra is responsible for certain legislation that protects human health, including but not limited to air quality legislation and statutory nuisance provisions, however, these do not specifically contain protections from oilseed rape.

Secondary information