My Department has been aware in recent years of a number of references both in the general media and in the medical literature to an increase in the prevalence of conditions which may be related to allergies. These conditions affect a number of systems such as food allergies resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms, allergies to substances in the environment which may lead to a variety of skin conditions, and the one which has been most widely researched and reported, that of an apparent increase in the prevalence of asthma in both children and adults.
Some of these phenomena may be explained by more sophisticated diagnostic and investigative techniques which allow for the more frequent identification of conditions whose pathology and causation were previously unknown. However, it is generally accepted, not only in Ireland but in the Western world in general, that there appears to have been a real increase in the incidence of asthma which is not solely explained by reference to diagnostic techniques. This was confirmed in a study which was carried out on asthma in Ireland by Allen & Hanburys in conjunction with the Asthma Society of Ireland in 2001. This research extended a previous study which was carried out in seven countries in Europe in 1999 which confirmed that, among the European Union countries, there are also variations in asthma prevalence.
It is accepted that some of the factors which may influence this situation include environmental factors, not only smoking and workplace exposure to respiratory irritants, but also a more general level of exposure to environmental substances which cause allergies to occur. The Deputy may wish to note that the EU is developing an action plan on environment and health which is expected to be adopted later this year. The plan is intended to reduce the disease burden caused by environmental factors in the EU, with special emphasis on children and other vulnerable groups in society, to identify and to prevent new health threats caused by environmental factors and to strengthen EU capacity for policy-making in this area. Officials of my Department and of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government are involved in the preparation of this action plan.
Additionally, an expert workshop on childhood asthma organised by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission will be held in Cork on 22 and 23 April 2004. This will examine approaches to research on childhood asthma from a genetic and environmental perspective, which is part of a major research initiative ongoing at EU level. It is hoped to agree Council conclusions on this issue at the June meeting of the Employment, Social Protection, Health and Consumer Affairs Council.
The Deputy may wish to note that, at the meeting of the Competitiveness (Internal Market, Industry and Research) Council on 22 September 2003, a directive was approved regarding the labelling of the ingredients present in foodstuffs. The new labelling rules in particular aim to ensure that consumers suffering from food allergies or who wish to avoid eating certain ingredients for any other reason are informed. They foresee that all ingredients in foodstuffs will have to be included on the label and abolish the 25% rule which up to now meant that it is was not obligatory to label the components of compound ingredients that make up less than 25% of the final food product. The new directive also establishes a list of ingredients liable to cause allergies or intolerances. It will also be obligatory to mention allergens on the labels on alcoholic beverages.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
At the forthcoming meeting of the European Union chief medical officers, the chief medical officer of my Department has placed the issues of food and asthma on the agenda so that we can share experiences, information and knowledge with our EU partners on this issue. In addition, my Department has contacted the Health Research Board to discuss the issue of research into the incidence of asthma in the Irish population, and the establishment of an asthma register is under discussion between professionals dealing with asthma and the Eastern Regional Health Authority. These initiatives should help to elucidate more clearly some of the causative factors relating to these conditions and, more specifically, to identify factors which contribute to the allergic component of this and other conditions. Thus, preventative and treatment strategies can be more effectively developed and implemented.