http://www.guardian.co.uk/country/ar...035157,00.html

Sheep farms' pesticide timebomb=20

Public health scare as Welsh farmers are revealed to be cutting costs
by misusing toxic crop chemical for dipping=20

Hugh Muir
Thursday September 4, 2003
The Guardian=20

Public health officials have ordered emergency action amid fears that
hundreds of sheep farmers are illegally using pesticides on their
animals which could be a hazard to human health.=20
The Guardian has learned that a team from the government's veterinary
medicines directorate is being sent to farms in Wales to launch an
investigation after being tipped off that more than 300 Welsh farmers
have bought a chemical formulation to use as sheep dip that was
designed only for use on crops.=20

Excessive exposure to the chemical, Cypermethrin, can cause disruption
to the human hormone system.=20

=46ew farmers in the area, mid and west Wales, grow crops so have no
legitimate need for arable Cypermethrin, which has never been tested
for use on livestock. But they have a financial incentive. Normal
sheep dip, which contains Cypermethrin that is safe for regulated use
in the food chain, is up to six times more expensive.=20

Experts with a role in safeguarding public health, agriculture and the
environment in Wales are urging farmers to stop using the arable
formula, but already there are fears that meat from inappropriately
treated sheep might have been affected.=20

The arable formula has a high aquatic toxicity and observers fear
farmers negligent about the use and disposal of the chemical have
contaminated local rivers, prompting concern for the ecology,
including the water supply. The environment agency believes chemical
contamination may be responsible for a decline in insects around the
river Teifi, in west Wales, that is having a serious effect on salmon
and trout, both of which feed on insects. It is feared that parts of
the river Usk might have suffered similar damage.=20

There are also dangers for the farmers themselves and their animals.
The arable formulation of Cypermethrin is clearly marked as dangerous
if inhaled or if it comes into contact with skin and eyes. It is
believed to carry the additional disadvantage of being largely
ineffective as a sheep dip or spray.=20

Experts believe its use may provide an explanation for the renewed
prevalence of sheep scab, a parasitic ailment normally prevented by
use of the authorised pesticides. The formula is also failing to
combat the condition known as fly strike, leaving sheep vulnerable to
maggots.=20

Officials from the veterinary medicines directorate and the
environment agency will do spot checks at suspect farms. Letters have
been sent to the farmers known to have bought the arable formula,
warning them that they will be prosecuted if caught using it
improperly.=20

Nightmare


But the authorities are, nevertheless, keen to follow a conciliatory
approach because they fear that some farmers who have bought the
arable pesticide may dispose of it recklessly. "It could be an
ecological nightmare," one official said. Farmers are being asked to
keep their supplies secure and discussions have begun with the
manufacturers to see if some of the chemical can be returned.=20

Bob Merriman of the environment agency, Wales, said: "This is a
serious situation and very dangerous for the environment. It is
worrying that the whole thing is totally uncontrolled. Three thousand
farmers are authorised to use proper sheep dip. This is clearly a case
of the minority letting the majority down."=20

Julie Barratt of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health said:
"We are concerned for public health, animal welfare and the
environment. We don't want to be alarmist but it's clear all of these
may well be affected. We welcome all the agencies in Wales working
together, but farmers must recognise their responsibility not to use
chemicals inappropriately."=20

Dai Lloyd Evans, leader of Ceredigion county council, who farms 600
sheep near Ystrad Meurig, also called for an end to the practice,
which he blamed on the price of dip. "People say we are ripped off
when we buy chemicals. I'd ask people not use unauthorised chemicals
until and unless they are proven safe. But someone ought to look into
whether they can be used on animals. There is something wrong, being
forced to pay through the nose for our dip."=20

But John Thorley, chief executive of the National Sheep Association,
condemned the misuse of arable Cypermethrin as "totally
reprehensible". He said: "We have worked like hell to make sure all
the dipping is done properly and all the rules on disposal are
followed. This is extremely inappropriate."=20

The alert was raised after environmental health officers in west Wales
received a tip-off about large quantities of the arable formula being
sold. Checks on the files of two distributors revealed they had sold
the chemical to 300 farmers between them, despite the buyers not being
arable farmers. One farmer made two purchases, each of 60 litres. The
product Toppel 10 was particularly popular.=20

Health fears have prompted many farmers to stop using dips which
contain organophosphates and to increase use of livestock dips with
Cypermethrin, which are thought less toxic. Many have realised that
the arable version is cheaper and assumed the two treatments are
similar.=20

The chemical used on sheep contains a form of Cypermethrin known as
High-Cis, which has been tested for use on livestock. It has a binding
agent to ensure it is effective for long periods, even when the sheep
are soaked by rain. Manufacturers can recommend the strength of the
solution. There is also a "withdrawal" period during which time
animals cannot be killed for human consumption; on its expiry the
chemical effect is judged to have subsided sufficiently for slaughter
to go ahead. Farmers seek authorisation from the environment agency to
dispose of sheep dip, usually by diluting it before spreading it on
designated land.=20

Arable Cypermethrin, used as sheep dip or spray, takes everyone into
unknown territory - its effects on animals and the necessary
withdrawal period are unknown, and legal disposal is impossible since
its use as a dip is not authorised. It also does not have a bonding
agent.=20

The scandal could have serious political and economic repercussions.
Welsh lamb was recently awarded "protected status" by the EC, placing
it on a par with brand products such as parma ham. Officials fear
this, and cases involving Welsh farmers involved in the illegal meat
trade, will hinder efforts to promote the British food industry. There
is also concern about the potential damage to tourism.=20

The price of protection

=B7 Most farmers have their sheep dipped twice a year - in May and in
the autumn - primarily to deal with two potential ailments, sheep scab
and fly strike=20

=B7 Sheep scab is a problem all year round. A mite burrows through the
wool and into the skin and agitates the animal. Fly strike occurs when
flies lay eggs on the sheep, which become infested by maggots which
eat into the sheep=20

=B7 Many farmers leave sheep dipping to consultants but 70% of those in
Wales do the job themselves. Most use the traditional method, leading
the sheep through a bath which allows them to be soaked. Others douse
them with sprays. But neither method is cheap. One brand of sheep dip
concentrate sells for =A330 a litre. Another costs =A370 for five litres=20

=B7 Treating the average flock requires about 10 litres=20

=B7 All treated animals go through a withdrawal period during which they
cannot be slaughtered because the sheep dip is thought to remain
potent. That period can vary according to the manufacturers'
instructions=20








"Man is the most dangerous, destructive, selfish,=20
and unethical animal on earth."=20
Michael W. Fox, Scientific Director and former=20
Vice President,=20
Humane Society of the United States.

"The life of an ant and that of my child=20
should be granted equal consideration,=20
for what does it really pain man to do so"
Pete Who. 2003=20

"Look deep into the eyes of any animal, and then=20
for a moment, trade places,=20
their life becomes as precious as yours and you=20
become as vulnerable as them.=20
Now smile if you believe all animals deserve=20
our respect and our protection, for in a way,=20
they are us, and we are them."
-Philip Ochoa Board Member, ALL FOR ANIMALS=20