HC Deb 28 June 1995 vol 262 cc691-3W
Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations were made to him or to farming organisations by the French authorities before benzene hectochlorine sheep dip was banned in the United Kingdom; and if such dip is currently used in France; [30273]

(2) if he will make a statement on the circumstances which led him to ban the sheep dip containing benzene hectochlorine. [30274]

Mrs. Browning

Following expressions of concern from the French authorities in the 1980s, about levels of lindane residues in sheep meat, United Kingdom manufacturers ceased to use benzene hexachloride in treatments for sheep scab. The decision to make this change was taken by the manufacturers; there has not been a ban. I am not aware if benzene hexachloride is still used in France.

Mr. Nicholson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice, in view of the report entitled "CULS 50/93, Diazinon: post-Dipping Exposure in Humans", he gives to those handling sheep which have been dipped with this compound; for how long after dipping this advice applies; and when this advice was issued. [30269]

Mrs. Browning

Advice on various aspects of using sheep dips, including the handling of sheep that have been dipped with diazinon, or with any other organophosphorus product, is contained in the free leaflet AS29, available from the Health and Safety Executive. This leaflet, which was sent to sheep farmers in 1994, includes advice to observe the label withdrawal periods for the product used. It also advises that it is good practice not to shear sheep for three months after dipping.

Mr. Nicholson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he takes to ensure that sheep are effectively dipped against scab, with particular reference to a repeat treatment at a specific time after the first dipping. [30275]

Mrs. Browning

All treatments for sheep scab must be approved by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate under the provisions of the Marketing Authorisations for Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations 1994, S.I. 1994/3142. As part of the authorisation process, consideration is given to the safety quality and efficacy of the product. The instructions, including any necessity for repeat applications, are clearly printed on the containers and should always be carefully followed. Most sheep scab treatments do not require repeat applications.

General advice on dealing with sheep scab is given in the Ministry's current publicity leaflet—PB 1927—which advises consulting a veterinary surgeon if farmers are in doubt about treatments. Advice on dipping procedures is given in the leaflet "Sheep Dipping"—AS29—available from the Health and Safety Executive.

Mr. Nicholson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has that particular working conditions, weather conditions, and existing medical conditions among those handling sheep which are, or have been, dipped with organophosphorus compounds, exacerbate reactions to exposure to the compounds; and if he will make as statement on the particular advice he gives in these circumstances. [30268]

Mrs. Browning

Information on reported suspected adverse reactions is collected by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate but details provided on individual reports vary inequality and would be very unlikely to lead to any meaningful conclusions. Extracting the specific information requested could not in any case be done readily.

Leaflet AS 29 (rev), "Sheep dipping", issued by the Health and Safety Executive includes the joint advice of the HSE, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the Department of the Environment to those involved in sheep dipping on protecting their health.

Mr. Nicholson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has issued to those shearing sheep, regarding shearing within(a) one week (b) two weeks and (c) up to five weeks after dipping. [30276]

Mrs. Browning

The leaflet "Sheep Dipping"—(AS29)—which was sent to sheep farmers in 1994, includes the advice thatIt is good practice not to shear sheep for three months after dipping.

The leaflet, which is available from the Health and Safety Executive, gives advice on various aspects of sheep dipping. It was prepared jointly by the Health and Safety Executive, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the Department of the Environment.

Mr. Nicholson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he has evaluated, and what(a) representations or (b) claims he has received suggesting that there is a link between the numbers of suicides among farmers and the mental and physical effects of reactions to exposure to organophosphate sheep dips. [30272]

Mrs. Browning

I am aware that a recent report by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys on suicide deaths in England and Wales, 1982–92 indicates that farmers are among the occupational groups with the highest rate of suicide. The reasons for this are not clear, but factors such as access to the means of suicide, firearms for example, and physical and social isolation are likely to play a part.