Sheep Dips (Hansard, 2 June 1992)

§ Mr. Tyler
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what conclusions he has reached on the future use of organo-phosphorus sheep dip substances, following consultation with the Health and Safety Executive.

§ Mr. Soames
Under the European Community rules, all long-standing licensed pharmaceutical veterinary medicines, including sheep dips, are currently subject to a comprehensive review. The purpose of this review is to ensure that such products meet the most up to date standards on safety, quality and efficacy.
The independent Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) has recently completed the initial phase of its review of sheep dips. It has concluded that, at present, there is no clear evidence that these products cause any unacceptable level of health risk to humans when used in accordance with the label instructions. Nevertheless, the VPC has noted that certain aspects of the products and conditions of use need further evaluation and the companies concerned are being asked to provide additional data. These, together with reports of suspected adverse reactions, will then be considered by the VPC. On the basis of the VPC's advice, decisions will then be taken by the licensing authority on the future authorisation of sheep dip products.
Health and Safety Executive officials attend VPC meetings and are represented on an appraisal panel set up to consider reports of human suspected adverse reactions to sheep dips.

§ Mr. Tyler
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that the use of organo-phosphorus sheep dip substances should continue to be authorised and encouraged, that the medical knowledge available to users is adequate for their protection and that the substances should continue to be excluded from control under the pesticide regulations.

§ Mr. Soames
Sheep dips are classified as veterinary medicines. Before any veterinary medicine can be placed on the market, it must first be licensed in accordance with the Medicines Act 1968. Licences are issued only after the Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) has satisfied itself that the required standards of safety, quality and efficacy have been met. The assessment of safety includes that of operators using the product.
As part of the current review of licensed sheep dip products the VPC has recently advised that, at present, there is no clear evidence that these products cause any unacceptable level of health risk to humans when used in accordance with the label instructions. No medical knowledge is necessary to follow these instructions nor to comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations.
Nevertheless, the VPC has noted a need for further evaluation of certain aspects of these products and conditions of use and the companies concerned have been asked to provide additional information. Information requested includes studies of farm operators, including blood tests and details of protective clothing worn as well as studies to show which areas of the bodies of operators are most exposed. This further data will be considered by the VPC on whose advice decisions on the future authorisation of sheep dip products will be made.
426W

§ Mr. Tyler
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the regulations governing dipping for sheep scab to protect the health of those undertaking this task.

§ Mr. McLoughlin
I have been asked to reply.
All sheep dipping operations are subject to the general requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSW Act) and to the more specific requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988. These regulations apply to employers and the self-employed. They require assessment of health risks from chemicals, prevention or control of exposure and, where necessary, health surveillance and exposure monitoring. If the regulations are complied with, the health of those exposed during dipping should not be put at risk.
Employers and operators are responsible for complying with the HSW Act and the regulations. They are vigorously enforced by inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive.