With the summer sheep dipping season in progress, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is urging farmers and mobile dipping contractors to take great care in the use and disposal of waste sheep dip. Failure to do so can have devastating effects on the aquatic environment and result in enforcement action being taken against those causing pollution.

Allan Virtue, SEPA Team Leader and Chairman of the Scottish Agricultural Pollution Group, explains: “There was a big increase in sheep dip pollution incidents last year in Scotland. Undoubtedly, this was caused in part by the lack of availability of Organophosphate (OP)-based dips due to their withdrawal in December 1999, which meant that many farmers switched to using Synethetic Pyrethroid (SP) dips. These dips are significantly more toxic to aquatic life than OP dips, and even a few drops entering a watercourse can wipe out aquatic life over hundreds of metres.”

By following a few simple rules, on the few days each year when dipping takes place, farmers can greatly reduce the risks of pollution from sheep dip. In particular:

• Ensure that dippers are never overfilled and have adequate splash protection;
  
• Make sure dippers do not leak or have any drain holes or outlets;
  
• Give dipped sheep adequate time (at least 5-10 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, do not 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.
  

Under The Groundwater Regulations 1998, it is illegal intentionally to dispose of waste sheep dip to land from static or mobile dippers, showers or jetters without an Authorisation from SEPA. Before an Authorisation can be granted, farmers must assess the suitability of each proposed disposal area by using a prior investigation flowchart.

“Many of the problems last year were caused by wet weather conditions”, explained Mr Virtue. “It is important that waste sheep dip is not spread on land that is waterlogged, and that drip pens and associated areas drain back to the dipper.”

Additional Controls on Sheep Dipping Operations to Prevent Spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)

The Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) have recently advised that all waste sheep dip must be treated to inactivate any possibility of FMD virus transmission prior to its removal from the farm for disposal. The same level of care must be used when handling and disposing treated dip. Treated dip must be disposed of in accordance with an Authorisation issued under the Groundwater Regulations 1998.

New statutory licensing arrangements have also been introduced specifically for mobile sheep dipping contractors. In an "Infected Area" (essentially Dumfries and Galloway, and the Borders), only mobile sheep dipping contractors who posses a "red licence" issued by the Meat and Livestock Commission can be employed. In a "Controlled Area" (rest of Scotland), only mobile dippers who possess a "green licence" can be employed. Note that this arrangement relates solely to the use of mobile sheep dipping contractors: those dipping their own sheep on their own premises are not affected.

Sources of Advice

SEPA staff are available to provide practical advice on measures to prevent pollution from sheep dips. Detailed guidance on good dipping practice can also be found in The Scottish Executive Code of Good Practice for the Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity (PEPFAA Code).

Application packs and further advice on the Groundwater Regulations are available from local SEPA offices.

Any enquiries concerning the new dipping licences for mobile dipping contractors should be directed to The Sheep Dipping Licensing Unit at the Meat and Livestock Commission (Tel: 01908 844790 or fax: 01908 844788).

ENDS