§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the impact of synthetic pyrethroid sheep dips on water courses. [71540]
§ Mr. RookerThe Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) reported to Ministers on the use of synthetic pyrethroid and other non-OP sheep dips in January 1998. The Committee's recommendations, which included the extension of the Certificate of Competence Scheme to non-OP dips with effect from 31 December 1998, are being implemented. Applications for Marketing Authorisations for all veterinary medicinal products must satisfy the statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy. Safety includes the safety of the environment. Environmental pollution incidents involving sheep dips should be reported to the Environment Agency or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Officials of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) liaise closely with the environment agencies and all suspected adverse reactions to veterinary medicinal products, including those affecting the environment, should also be reported to the VMD.