Withdrawal of cypermethrin sheep dip good news for Welsh rivers and wildlife
Rivers and aquatic wildlife will be protected in the future following the announcement that cypermethrin sheep dip products are to be permanently withdrawn from sale.
Sales of cypermethrin sheep dip products were suspended in February
2006 following a number of serious pollution incidents.
The products were used to treat a number of serious external parasites in sheep including scab, blow fly and ticks. Key to the case for suspension was Environment Agency Wales’ evidence that showed the insecticide was damaging watercourses and wiping out aquatic wildlife in several of
Wales’ most important rivers.
Of the ten prosecution cases relating to serious pollution incidents in the
UK in 2005, all involved cypermethrin and eight were in
Wales, with particular damage to the river Ystwyth and tributaries of the Teifi.
Most of these cases appeared to have involved only small quantities of cypermethrin, either small-scale run-off from mobile units used on or around farm yards, or washed off sheep as they crossed streams when returning to pasture.
Prior to the suspension, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), which authorises veterinary medicines for sale in the
UK, asked the manufacturers for new data concerning the environmental risks of their products. But now the three remaining companies with suspended approval to sell cypermethrin dips have opted to permanently withdraw their dips from the
UK market.
Chris Mills, Director, Environment Agency Wales, said:
“This is great news for the environment. It means greater protection for many hundreds of kilometres of high quality rivers in the sheep farming areas of
Wales.
“Since the suspension we, together with VMD, have worked with farmers, anglers and wildlife groups to examine ways the dips could be used safely. As part of this work, research was carried out to understand better how cypermethrin was getting into rivers. Crucially, one of these studies showed that significant amounts of cypermethrin could be washed off a sheep’s fleece for as long as 28 days after dipping.
“We have been organising sheep dip demonstration events to help Welsh sheep farmers find suitable alternatives to dipping and if dipping is necessary, the safest way to do this. Controlling scab and lice is crucial as it affects their productivity and weight gain and damage reduces the price of a fleece.
“This work, promoting alternatives to cypermethrin, will carry on following this announcement to help farmers decide whether dipping, injectable or pour-on treatments provide the best solution for them and the environment.”
Environment Agency
Wales’ evidence also shows that the four-year suspension of cypermethrin dips has resulted in significant benefits for the environment.
This includes t
he recovery of stretches of waterway that suffered severe pollution from cypermethrin with the River Ystwyth recovering particularly quickly.