§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEasked the Minister of Agriculture what success has been achieved by the second dipping of sheep for sheep scab; if there have been any reported losses through arsenic or other poisoning; and if he has any statement to make?
Mr. GUINNESSThe second dipping at the prescribed interval is essential in the treatment of sheep scab, and is based on the life cycle of the sheep scab parasite. Double dipping h~a3 been found to prevent the development of sheep scab in sheep which have been exposed to infection, and by this means the disease is controlled. Owing to losses which occurred after the second dipping of574W sheep in dips containing arsenic, the Ship Dips (Regulation) Order was issued in April, 1926. This Order prohibits the use of any dip containing arsenic for the second dipping of sheep which are required to be twice dipped within the prescribed interval under any Order of the Minister or Regulation of a local Authority. Since the Order came into operation, the losses following dipping have been negligible, only 14 cases of loss occurring after dipping carried out in compliance with the Order being reported to the Ministry during the period 15th May to the 31st December, 1926. During 1925, the losses reported as occurring after the use of arsenical dips for both dippings amounted to 1,088.