HL Deb 05 February 2002 vol 631 c82WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What advice has recently been offered by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to sheep farmers as first line treatment against infestation by lice in breeding ewes. [HL2498]

Lord Whitty

Advice on the treatment of sheep for lice was included in the leafletGolden rules for a healthy flock sent to all sheep farmers in the autumn last year. The emphasis of this leaflet was for restocking following foot and mouth disease, but it recommends that sheep farmers should consult their veterinary surgeon on the development of an overall flock health plan, including a policy on lice.

The leaflet includes the following specific advice on the control of lice: "Ideally plunge dip in an OP [organo-phosphate]. Where this is not possible pour-on SPs [synethetic pyrethroids] may be used. However many lice are now resistant to SPs and they have no action (when used as pour-ons) against sheep scab. No injectable treats lice".