ELIZABETH SIGMUND, anti-OP campaigner, is to give evidence later this month at the independent inquiry, conducted by Lord Lloyd of Berwick, into Gulf War Syndrome.

Through her campaign group, the OP Information Network, Ms Sigmund has gathered information from hundreds of sheep farmers who believe their health has suffered from exposure to OP sheep dips.

There are many similarities between the symptoms of the Gulf War veterans who were exposed to tents and equipment sprayed with OP pesticides and those of farmers.

Ms Sigmund is now calling for a similar inquiry into what may be termed Sheep Dip Syndrome.

“Farmers should be treated with the same care as members of the armed forces,” Ms Sigmund told FW this week (w/e July 23).

“I certainly believe there must be an inquiry into how such dangerous chemicals were forced upon farmers without any regulation in terms of handling of the chemicals or wearing of protective clothing.”

Liberal Democrat MP Paul Tyler, chair of the All Party Organophosphate Group, gave evidence to the Gulf War Syndrome inquiry on Wednesday (July 21).

He told FW that the inquiry would serve as a reminder to the government also of the plight of UK sheep farmers.

“Some gulf war veterans have said that they believe themselves to have the same symptoms as sheep farmers and for the same reasons.

“We need to gather all the evidence and find out the truth about this,” Mr Tyler said.