§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether his Department has taken any initiatives to improve the hygiene and safety of sheep dipping since July.
§ Mr. David HuntThe Agriculturel Departments have recently issued advisory notes and an accompanying wallchart to farmers on the safe use and disposal of sheep dip. This information has also been sent to the National Rivers Authority and agricultural merchants who sell sheep dip. The publications give practical advice to farmers and others engaged in the dipping of sheep on the siting of sheep dip baths and the safe use and disposal of the chemicals involved.
All sheep dip products are licensed under the Medicines Act 1968 and are currently subject to a review to ensure the most up-to-date standards on safety—including safety to the environment. Any products which fail to meet these standards will be withdrawn from the market. The review will be completed by the end of the year.