Controlling environmental damage from sheep dip chemicals.

Insecticides applied to sheep for the control of ectoparasitic infections r epresent a major source of water pollution in some areas of the UK. It is s uggested that the recent move to synthetic pyrethroid dips, away from organ o-phosphate dips, has highlighted long-standing problems in agricultural pr actice. A recent review of the practice of sheep dipping, and the disposal of spent dip has identified a number of options for the control of pollutio n from sheep dip. Some pollution comes form the use of the dip itself, and a code of good practice needs to be established to identify the best means of treating sheep. Other pollution comes from the disposal of spent dip, an d this matter is the subject of regulation. However, alternative, positive flock management techniques, could be developed to significantly reduce the total amount of sheep dip used. These include the establishment of clean f locks and clean areas, and the use of alternative means of application of c hemicals. However, it is inevitable that in some situations, dipping of she ep remains the only reasonable way to maintain animal health. It is conclud ed that control of pollution from sheep dip is a matter not just of the tec hnical solutions to its use and disposal, but also to the examination of th e whole agricultural operation involving the use of such chemicals. It is s uggested that the desired level of animal health can be achieved with the t argeted rather then the widespread use of sheep dipping.