§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into alternatives to synthetic pyrethroid sheep dips and ivermectin injectables. [29726]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 16 February 1998]: Since 1992, the Department has funded research on alternatives to chemotherapeutics such as the synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphates used in sheep dips, and ivermectin injection, that are used for the treatment of ecto and endo parasitic infestations.
The Department's current research programme is costing £1.6 million over about 5 years and is focused on two main areas of improving control:
(a)the development of ways of modulating the immune response such as by vaccination, and(b)by the use of insect attractants to lure nuisance flies away from livestock to baited traps.Most of this work is relatively strategic. However the work on insect attractants is more applied and will be evaluated shortly for its practical value.
§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice his Department gives to farmers on the disposal of synthetic pyrethroid sheep dips. [29737]
Dr. John Cunningham[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 will be sent to all known sheep farmers in Great Britain. Advice is also contained in the code of Good Practice for the Protection of Water, published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Welsh Office.
94WThe 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 OP dips but the Government have 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 Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the results of tests on ivermectin injectable products to replace synthetic pyrethroid sheep dips will be available; and if they will be published. [29736]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 16 February 1998]: Three injectable veterinary medicinal products have been authorised and are available for the treatment and control of sheep scab. Two contain ivermectin as their active ingredient. Details of all sheep ectoparasiticides are published every six months by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and a copy of the January 1998 leaflets is in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what testing was carried out before synthetic pyrethroid sheep dips were introduced with regard to its impact on(a) the aquatic environment, (b) the soil environment and (c) fisheries. [29727]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 16 February 1998]: Applications for marketing authorisations for veterinary medicinal products must be supported by data, including the results of relevant tests, to satisfy the statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy. Safety includes the safety of the environment.