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Safety fears over SP dip containers

- 23 February 2001
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23 February 2001



Safety fears over SP dip containers


By Donald MacPhail

CONTAINERS for highly-toxic synthetic pyrethroid (SP) sheep dip may have to be redesigned after government advisers voiced concerns about their safety.

Controversial organophosphate sheep dips were withdrawn for 10 months last year until better containers were developed.

Now SPs, which can be 1000-times more toxic, could face regulatory action – including a possible ban – unless manufacturers improve packaging.

At a recent meeting of the Veterinary Products Committee members noted there were some defects in [SP] container design.

Concerns are believed to centre on the ease of opening of containers, spillage and dip pooling in the cap.

If members agree on the minutes, committee advisers, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, will ask manufacturers to act.

A VMD spokesman said: If it appears that manufacturers are not taking this seriously, we may have to look at regulatory measures.

He added: This is extremely hypothetical and is not to give the impression that the withdrawn of these products is imminent.

“There is a lot of water to flow under the bridge before we would consider regulatory action.”

While exposure to OPs has been linked to chronic ill-health, fewer operator concerns have been expressed about SP usage.

However, SP operators do have to adhere to stringent safety precautions as extreme exposure can cause poisoning and dermatitis.

More concern has been voiced about the impact of SP pollution on the environment as a tiny amount can have a severe effect.

VPC chairman Prof Ian Aitken said: We are addressing concerns both with the dangers of SPs coming into contact with humans and spillages on the wider environment.

Environment Agency rural land use officer Bob Merriman welcomed the move. Anything to reduce the danger from SPs is a very good thing, he said.

Steve Dawson of veterinary medicine manufacturers body the National Office for Animal Health said he had not been approached about design concerns.

But manufacturers have been in discussion with the VMD about improving labelling on SPs, he added.

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