HL Deb 17 December 1992 vol 541 cc51-2WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Health and Safety Executive co-ordinate their dissemination of information to farmers about the safe handling of sheep dip products to ensure that there is no misunderstanding or confusion.

Viscount Ullswater

Officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Health and Safety Executive are in frequent contact about issues relating to sheep dips, including proposals for leaflets and other advisory literature.

The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether all sheep owners are sent leaflets and other advisory literature about the safe handling of sheep dip and of sheep during and after dipping.

Viscount Ullswater

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a leaflet, "Sheep dipping: Protect your health" (AS 29) which advises farmers about the safe handling of sheep dips and the precautions to be taken before, during and after dipping. The free leaflet has been widely publicised. To date, 66,000 copies have been issued. Copies are available from any HSE local office. It has not been sent directly to sheep owners.

The Agriculture Departments are in the process of sending two advisory notes for farmers entitled "Sheep scab" and "The safe handling and disposal of sheep dips" to all sheep farmers in Great Britain.