Scab threatens national flock - Farmers Weekly
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- 28 January 2000 https://www.fwi.co.uk More in News Scab threatens national flock - 28 January 2000 >More in News
28 January 2000Scab threatens national flockBy FWi staff
SHEEP scab could devastate the national flock because of government dithering following its decision to withdraw organophosphate dip containers, industry figures have claimed.
For while Monday (31 January) is the deadline for withdrawing the containers, which are considered unsafe to use, no action has yet been taken to change containers to meet new rules.
OP dip is being removed from the market following concerns that long-term low-level exposure causes nerve damage and ill health.
It will not be reintroduced until safer packaging can be designed.
In the meantime sheep are vulnerable to sheep scab, a distressing and fatal condition.
Roger Cook, director of the National Organisation for Animal Health, which represents veterinary drug companies, says there has been no advice from the government on changes which need to be
made
“One of the problems companies have got is they are not quite sure what the ministry wants,” he told the Radio 4 Farming Today programme.
“Companies need to be quite clear what is expected of them before they throw good money after bad.”
Chris Lewis, former president of the Sheep Veterinary Society, this delay could create a major animal welfare issue.
“Had the withdrawal been made in May or June when scab is far less prevalent, the national flock would not suffer what I am convinced is a major welfare problem, Mr Lewis told the BBC.
Mr Lewis said injectable alternatives were more expensive and the long prolonged withdrawal period could tempt some people to treat sheep and then market them before this period ended.
This could cause a possible residue in meat.
But Baroness Hayman, agriculture minister in the House of Lords, insisted a decision to withdraw OPs could not have been made sooner as the timetable had to be determined after advice was
received.
She pledged that if companies come back with a container which is acceptable, farmers could use organophosphate sheep dips again.
No end in sight for sheep dip ban, FWi, 13 January,2000Industry prepares for sheep dip recall, FWi, 03 January, 2000
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