Call to ban OP sheep dips rejected
23 July 1999
Call to ban OP sheep dips rejected
By Isabel Davies
THERE will be no immediate ban on organophosphate sheep dips, despite the recent Institute of Occupational Medicine report linking the chemicals to nerve damage.
The Veterinary Products Committee has told the government there is not enough evidence to ban a product already carrying hazard warnings and handling guidelines.
Junior farm minister Jeff Rooker said last week that the government would be taking measures to ensure safer working conditions for farm workers treating sheep.
He said OP dip manufacturers would be given three months to make practical improvements to dip containers to minimise operator contact with OP concentrate.
And urgent consideration would be given to making it a requirement for those handling OP sheep dip concentrate to hold a certificate of competence.
Mr Rooker added that the VPC had made it clear that it had offered only “interim advice” and would be making further suggestions later in the year.
Elizabeth Sigmund of the OP Information Network, an organisation which has long campaigned for an end to OP use, called the governments decision irresponsible.
“If it wasnt so tragic for so many people then it would be laughable,” she said.
Mrs Sigmund said there was plenty of evidence to suggest that people handling dipped sheep were also at risk in addition to those handling sheep dip concentrate.
“How can the government pretend that it is sufficient to reply that manufacturers should improve their packaging?” she asked.
But the National Office for Animal Health, the trade body representing pesticide manufacturers, welcomed the fact that OP dips would remain available to farmers.
NOAH director Roger Cook described the dips as an aid to sheep welfare.
“We particularly welcome the move to extend the certificate of competence to those handling OP concentrate as well as those making a dip purchase,” he said.
“NOAH has long argued that a certificate holder should be in charge of every dipping gang.”