Archived press release

Top rivers poisoned by sheep dip as Government secrecy hinders action

13 June 1997

Friends of the Earth today called for urgent action on sheep dipping by the Government and pesticide industry after a new report released today (13 June 1997) revealed serious pollution of rivers and groundwaters.[1]

The report, Pesticides in the Aquatic Environment, by the Environment Agency, not only highlights the pollution of rivers from sheep dipping chemicals but also calls for the Ministry of Agriculture to come clean and hand over information about the location of the country's estimated 50,000 sheep dips.[2]

Adrian Bebb, Agriculture Campaigner for Friends of the Earth said:

"Some of our best rivers, running through our most treasured countryside, have been devastated because of the toxic chemicals used to dip sheep. Farmers have been left carrying the can for too long and need urgent help to reduce the effects of pesticides. The Environment Agency is fighting this battle with one hand tied behind its back. The Government needs to take action immediately and reveal the locations of these sheep dips."

Friends of the Earth believe that:

. the Government should issue an immediate moratorium on organophosphate dips and ban soakaway disposal of all sheep dips [3]
. pesticide companies should be made responsible for their products and provide a safe and affordable disposal system [4]
. all sheep dipping sites should be notified to allow monitoring by the Environment Agency [5]
. more research is needed into less intensive farming and non-chemical strategies for controlling scab. Organic farmers appear to dip their sheep much less frequently with some not using chemicals at all. [6]

Adrian Bebb continued:

"If we want to rescue our rivers then we need to get sheep dipping under control. For a start, companies that produce such deadly chemicals should be made more responsible and provide a safe and affordable disposal system for their products."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] The report analyses the National Rivers Authority (now part of the Environment Agency) monitoring of pesticides at 2500 sites in England. Almost 8% of all freshwater sites (rivers, streams etc), exceeded Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs). Of these, sheep dip was the most frequent pesticide breaching the standards. Nearly half of these sites were in the North East region and focused around Yorkshire.

[2] In its recommendations, the Environment Agency calls on the Government to reveal the location of the sheep dip sites.

[3] Organophosphates have been one of the main sheep dip insecticides and have been strongly suspected of affecting not only the environment but also the health of farmers and farm workers. OP's account for an estimated half of all sheep dips.

Soakaways are basically holes in the ground where chemicals are left to drain into the ground.

[4] The Government's preferred method of disposal is through a licenced waste disposal contractor. In a recent report by the Soil Association, very few such contractors were found. The average quote for disposal was £1000. (Sheep Dip Disposal: no room for complacency - the Soil Association).

[5] If sheep dipping sites are made notifiable then farmers would be required to tell the Agency when, where and with what chemical they intend to dip, and where it will be disposed of.

[6] Although organic farmers are allowed to use non-OP sheep dips to control scab,
a small survey for the Soil Association found that the majority of organic sheep farmers didn't dip their sheep.

[Index]

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust