13 June 1997
23/97

SEPA Warns of Environmental Dangers
of Sheep Dip

Sheep dipping has resulted in the devastation of tens of kilometres of Scottish rivers over the past 12 months, according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

SEPA is stressing the need for farmers to use and dispose of dip in an environmentally responsible manner, and warns that failure to do so can result in action being taken against offenders, with fines of up to £20,000 possible.

All sheep dips are toxic to aquatic life but dips containing synthetic pyrethroid chemicals are replacing the more traditional organophosphate ones. Recent statistics indicate that the majority of sheep dip pollution is now caused by pyrethroid dips. While they are thought to be less harmful to human health, they are 100 times more toxic to aquatic life.

Allan Virtue, SEPA’s Team Leader for the Borders, says:

"Very tiny amounts of dip can affect the environment. As little as a small cupful of cypermethrin, the most commonly used pyrethroid dip, has the potential to kill fish and insects over several kilometres in a sizeable watercourse. The effect can be as devastating as an Exocet missile in the water.

"As well as the environmental concerns, if dips contaminate drinking water supplies, there could be serious implications for human health.

"On a more positive note, I would like to stress that we have evidence which indicates that, by adopting good practice for the few days each year on which dipping takes place, farmers can make a difference and greatly reduce the environmental risks."

Preventing pollution

The factors responsible for sheep dip pollution include improper disposal methods, poor maintenance of dippers or the siting of dippers too close to watercourses. SEPA encourages farmers to ensure that:

• The dipper is checked for leaks before filling;
• The dipper is not overfilled and has adequate splash protection;
• Dipped sheep have adequate time to drip in an area that drains back to the dipper;
• Sheep should be prevented from crossing or entering watercourses immediately after being released from the dip pens;
• Mobile dippers are operated on safe sites, well away from watercourses, springs or drainage systems, and preferably outwith steading hardstanding areas;
• The dipper is emptied and rinsed immediately following the completion of dipping and the waste dip and containers disposed of safely.

Sources of advice

Comprehensive advice on good dipping practice can be found in the Scottish Office Code of Good Practice for the Prevention of Environmental Pollution, a revised version of which is due to be published soon. SEPA has produced a complementary set of leaflets, including one on the safe use & disposal of sheep dips. Copies of both the Code of Good Practice and the leaflet, as well as advice on any aspect of sheep dip use and disposal*, can be obtained by contacting local SEPA offices.

NOTES

• Farmers should be aware that the disposal of spent sheep dip will be subject to important regulatory change over the next few months as a result of the need to comply with EC legislation. SEPA will issue a press release in due course giving details. In the meantime, it is advisable to contact SEPA to obtain up-to-date advice on correct methods of disposal.

• Sheep are dipped to control a range of ectoparasites, such as scab and blowfly. While other methods of control are available, only dipping currently offers the full range of protection.

• SEPA estimates that it has investigated around 25 sheep dip related pollution incidents in sheep farming areas across Scotland in the past year, although previous evidence suggests that this is a considerable underestimate of the true scale of the problem.

ENDS

More information from SEPA Public Affairs at publicrelations@sepa.org.uk

Monica Straughan Tel: 01786 457723. Mobile: 0421 942498

Maggie Hamilton Tel: 01786 452724. Mobile: 0370 686073

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