MAFF faces action over sheep dip
17 December 1999
MAFF faces action over sheep dip
By Liz Mason
SOLICITORS acting for farmers who claim their health has been ruined by organophosphorous (OP) sheep dips will now take legal action against the government.
Hodge, Jones and Allen, one of two legal firms co-ordinating the action, claims the Ministry of Agriculture is potentially liable after a change in case law.
A European ruling has now established that plaintiffs have the right to sue government departments, said Patrick Allen of the Legal Aid Board.
Farmers had been put under considerable pressure to dip sheep, even though MAFF knew the required chemicals were impossible to use safely, he said.
MAFF had made sheep-dipping compulsory from 1978-1992 and since then farmers were liable to prosecution if sheep suffered scab, added Mr Allen.
“We have evidence from experts in the field confirming that these chemicals have always been tremendously dangerous, even in laboratory conditions.
“It was almost impossible [for farmers] to use them safely and that would have been known by manufacturers, who were working closely with the ministry.”
Kent farmer Cary Coomber, who has been involved in a long legal battle over OP sheep dip, said the move would please a lot of people.
“There is no question that MAFF has been negligent”, he claimed.
The numbers of farmers involved in the legal action is still growing and there have been about 1000 enquiries since an initial court hearing last June.
More farmers could contact their solicitors to discuss potential claims before a further hearing which is scheduled to take place next month.