§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice his Department gives to farmers on the disposal of synthetic pyrethroid sheep dip. [29734]
§ Mr. Win Griffiths[holding answer 16 February 1998]: Advice on the disposal of sheep dips is given on the label of every product and in the leaflet, Sheep Dipping, published jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Health and Safety Executive and the former Department of the Environment. A new edition of the leaflet is in preparation and, as before, it will be sent to all known sheep farmers in Great Britain. Advice is also contained in the Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Welsh Office.
The National Proficiency Tests Council organises a test leading to the issue of a Certificate of Competence which includes the disposal of all types of sheep dip. A Certificate is currently required for the purchase of organophosphate (OP) dips but the government has accepted the advice of the Veterinary Products Committee that the requirement should be extended to cover the purchase of non-OP dips, including those containing synthetic pyrethroids. We are currently consulting on a change in legislation which would take effect on 1 August 1998.
§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what monitoring of the impact of synthetic pyrethroid sheep dips on(a) the aquatic environment, (b)the soil environment and (c) fisheries (i) has been carried out and (ii) is planned by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [29735]
§ Mr. Win Griffiths[holding answer 16 February 1998]: The Environment Agency, which is responsible for monitoring the aquatic environment in Wales, has initiated monitoring programmes to assess the impact of sheep dip compounds, including synthetic pyrethroids, on the chemical quality of the aquatic environment, including any effects on fish populations. The monitoring has been targeted on the most intensive sheep rearing areas, including Wales. A full report of the findings is being prepared by the Agency. There is no specific monitoring of soil.
Last month, the Government published draft groundwater regulations relating to England, Wales and Scotland which specify additional monitoring requirements for groundwater, including of synthetic pyrethroids.