During the autumn sheep dipping season, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is urging farmers to use and dispose of sheep dip in an environmentally responsible manner. Failure to follow basic safeguards and procedures can have devastating effects on rivers and streams and may even result in SEPA recommending prosecution.

Sub-standard dipping facilities and poor disposal practices pose a significant environmental risk, as even tiny amounts of a dip entering a watercourse will cause substantial harm to river life. This is particularly the case with dips containing synthetic pyrethroid (SP) chemicals, which are known to be up to 100 times more toxic to aquatic life than dips containing organophosphorus (OP) chemicals.

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

"By following a few simple rules, farmers can play their part in protecting the environment". In particular:

· "Make sure that dippers are never overfilled and have adequate splash protection;

· Give dipped sheep adequate time (at least 10 minutes) to drip in an area that drains back to the dipper;

· Do not site dippers within 50 metres of a well or borehole, or within 10 metres of a watercourse. Also, don’t site mobile dippers close to drains or on hard standing areas at the farm which discharge to clean water drains;

· Empty dip baths immediately after dipping, and ensure that waste dip and containers are disposed of safely and legally."

The Groundwater Regulations, which came fully into force on 1 April this year, require farmers to seek authorisation from SEPA for any intentional disposal of waste sheep dip from static or mobile dippers, showers or jetters to land. Before authorisation can be granted, farmers or crofters must assess the suitability of the proposed disposal area(s) by using a prior investigation flowchart for each site being considered for receiving waste sheep dip.

"SEPA believe that there are a number of farmers and crofters who may be considering using and then disposing of waste dip but who have not yet applied for an authorisation", said Mr Virtue. "It is vital that any farmer in this position contacts SEPA immediately and submits an application for authorisation as soon as possible. It may still be possible to dip the sheep as planned, store the waste sheep dip safely and securely, make the application and await SEPA’s decision. Disposing of waste sheep dip without an authorisation would be illegal and the farmer would be liable for enforcement action."

Application packs and further advice on the Regulations, are available from local SEPA offices. Farmers and crofters are urged to act now to ensure that they remain within the law. SEPA will view any illegal disposal that is made without an authorisation very seriously indeed and will not hesitate to undertake enforcement action where the disposal of such dangerous chemicals might cause pollution of groundwater resources.