HC Deb 15 February 1926 vol 191 cc1523-4
58. Sir W. de FRECE

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of sheep which died in this country as a result of the dipping process during the last 12 months; and whether there is any control by the Ministry over the nature of the dips used?

Mr. GUINNESS

As the reply is rather long, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

Six hundred and twenty-eight sheep have been reported to the Ministry during the past 12 months as having died as the result of dipping. Of this number, 594 were dipped in arsenical dips; 13 were dipped in an arsenical dip for the first dipping, but in a non-poisonous dip for the second dipping. In 21 cases the Ministry has no information as to the dip used.

Dips used for the purpose of dipping in order to comply with the Orders of the Ministry or regulations of local authorities relating to sheep scab are required to be approved for that purpose by the Ministry, and no dip is approved unless a sample has been examined and found to be effective for the destruction of the sheep scab acarus. When a dip has been approved all packages placed on sale to the public are required to bear a label stating the fact that it has been so approved and the dilutions at which it is approved by the Ministry for use under the Sheep Scab Orders.

The Ministry takes no responsibility for losses occasioned to sheep through dipping in poisonous dips. The choice of any particular dip rests with the owner of the sheep, and there are a large number of non-poisonous dips available for selection.