HC Deb 03 July 1997 vol 297 cc273-4W
Mrs. Golding

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the effect of pyrethroid sheep dips on aquatic life in rivers and streams in Scotland. [6157]

Mr. Chisholm

I understand from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency that much of the impact in watercourses affected by the disposal of spent pyrethroid sheep dip has been on aquatic invertebrates such as river insects, although there have been a number of reported cases of significant fish kills.

There are serious practical difficulties in disposing of spent pyrethroid sheep dip particularly in the more remote areas of the Highlands and Islands. However, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency considers environmental risks can be greatly reduced by the adoption of good farming practice. Comprehensive advice can be found in The Scottish Office Code of Good Practice for the Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity, a revised edition of which will be available at the end of this month. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency actively promotes such good practice through the publication of educational material and undertaking farm visits.