High and low wheat-growing counties showed very different rates of babies born with defects, said researchers at Ottawa University (Canada):

• Defects of the respiratory, the circulatory and musculo- skeletal systems were 60-90% greater in high wheat-growing counties

• The risk of birth defects rose for babies conceived in the Spring, when herbicide spraying was most intense. Boys born in April-May in high wheat-growing counties were almost five times more likely to have a birth defect than boys born in low wheat-growing counties at other times of the year

• Death due to congenital abnormalities was higher in boys born in high wheat-growing counties. Most of the infant boys’ deaths were caused by heart and musculoskeletal birth defects. No increased risk of death was found for girls

While the study does not prove a link, the researchers suggested that herbicides used on wheat may be to blame.

Ed.- (i) Previous research has indicated that the chlorophenoxy group of herbicides commonly used on wheat, such as 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T and MCPA, can disrupt foetal development as well as being carcinogenic. The pesticide 2,4-D is also found in 121 domestic garden weedkillers available in the UK, the pesticide MCPA in 90.

(ii) Friends of the Earth called on (i) retailers to withdraw such products, on local authorities to use safer alternatives when spraying public amenities like parks and golf courses, and (ii) on individuals to take any products containing either pesticide to an appropriate Local Authority disposal site.