§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on the action he is taking to avoid damage to health through the use of certain organo-phosphorus sheep dips.
§ Mr. McLoughlinI have been asked to reply.
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 (COSHH) apply to sheep dipping operations. They are enforced on farms by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors. During visits to farms, HSE inspectors 628W draw attention to specific legal requirements and give advice and guidance on the precautions to be taken to prevent risks to health. Enforcement action is taken where necessary.
HSE has published a leaflet entitled "Sheep dipping: Protect your health". The leaflet provides guidance to farmers on compliance with COSHH when engaged in sheep dipping operations. It warns of the hazards of sheep dips and sets out the precautions to be taken before, during and after dipping.