Little heard of in the 70’s, oil seed rape is now the third largest arable crop in the UK. Today, it is not just being grown for the old markets of cheap cooking oil, margarine, cattle feed, candles, soap, plastics, polymers and lubricants but also as bio-fuel.
Currently, most of the UK’s production is being bought by Germany for bio-diesel, making it a financially attractive crop to grow. But it is not as appreciated by those who suffer from hay fever. Oil Seed Rape Allergy is now a recognised complaint and is becoming more and more prevalent as the crops increase. There is no restriction where farmers can grow the crops, so land adjoining roads and residential areas is used more frequently, exacerbating the problem. Symptoms are similar to hay fever, including itchy eyes, streaming or blocked noses, sore throats, breathing difficulties and general debility.
Susceptible to numerous pests and diseases, oilseed rape crops receive on average three herbicides, two fungicides and two insecticides during the course of a growing season and the extensive use of chemicals is adding to health concerns.
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