§ Lord Stanley of Alderleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the present recommended sheep dips are as effective against sheep scab as those previously used containing dieldrin.
§ Lord BelsteadAll the evidence indicates that the compounds currently approved for sheep scab are effective in killing the causal mite. It must however be added that the dips must be mixed and be kept topped up in strict accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations. Equally importantly, every sheep must be immersed in the dip bath for a full one minute.
Dieldrin dips have never been approved in this country for use against sheep scab. Experimental evidence has shown that they are ineffective against the scab mite.
§ Lord Stanley of Alderleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they would encourage manufacturers to market a readily washable bloom dip so as to ensure easier and cheaper control of dipping sheep.
§ Lord BelsteadThe use of a suitable colour dip in sheep dipping to control scab would be of benefit, particularly on the moors and other areas of common grazing where it is difficult to gather and identify animals which have not been dipped. Work is therefore being undertaken at the Central Veterinary Laboratory to try to identify a colour dip for this purpose which will not persist and result in discoloured wool when sheared and washed. Contact is maintained with interested organisations, particularly the British Wool Marketing Board, about the possible use of such colour dips.