Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke (FOR) has ordered a new study to find out if there is a link between occupational use of pesticides and Parkinson's disease. He answered this in Parliament to a question from José Arens (Les Engagés).
Arens called for compensation for farmers who were regularly exposed to pesticides during their working lives and subsequently developed Parkinson's disease. There is evidence indicating the possibility of a causal relationship between the two matters.
Vandenbroucke replied that the most recent research on this goes back to 2013. At that time, it was not possible to adequately prove causality, but the minister has now asked the Federal Agency for Occupational Risk to conduct a new investigation based on the updated data.
“Concrete commitments are needed”
He said Vidres was committed to doing so as quickly as possible. Vandenbroucke also supports the European intention to significantly reduce the use of pesticides.
Arens thinks it's good to have a new investigation, but he also calls for action. “Concrete commitments to farmers are needed before the end of the legislative session,” says the Luxembourg native.
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