Originally from: mona parr
                        
07 June 2004

The Environment Agency is strongly urging anyone who keeps sheep and contractors to follow key sheep dipping guidance to prevent water pollution from sheep dipping.
 A Code of Practice for the Use and Disposal of Sheep dip Compounds gives good advice on how to protect the environment when dipping, showering or jetting sheep.

Bob Merriman, Environment Agency Wales Agriculture Policy Advisor, said: \x{201C}By following this guidance sheep farmers and contractors can reduce pollution and protect the environment, which is increasingly important in supporting rural economies. We have received very good co-operation from many sheep farmers and contractors and overall, the situation is better than it was five years ago.

\x{201C}There are however, some instances where a minority are letting everyone down by not following guidance. In particular, we are concerned that some farmers have been using unauthorised chemicals to dip sheep or letting freshly dipped sheep access streams. This has lead to particular damage in some Welsh upland rivers. In response, the Agency chemists have developed analytical techniques to detect tracts of both authorised and unauthorised dip chemicals in moss and other materials in streams, months after it may have actually polluted a stream. We are urging everyone to heed our advice, avoiding pollution and the increased risks of both prosecution and compensation costs.\x{201D}

The guidance includes:

Before dipping \x{2013}

\x{2022} Obtain an authorisation from the Environment Agency to dispose of used dip to land, even if there is only a small volume of dip left, e.g. after using a shower, jetter or sprayer.
\x{2022} Make sure you have read and understood the guidance listed in the Code \x{2022} Make sure the dip bath does not have a drain hole; if it does, permanently seal it
\x{2022} Check the bath doesn\x{2019}t leak; fill it with water and leave it overnight \x{2013} the water can be used to make up the sheep dip solution
\x{2022} Check weather forecasts, avoiding rainfall as this can hamper effective treatment and increase pollution risks.

During and immediately after dipping \x{2013}

\x{2022} Ensure the concentrate and all spillages are contained within an area that drains back into the dip bath
\x{2022} Only use authorised chemicals and follow manufacturers\x{2019} instructions \x{2022} Ensure proper drain pens are in place, with all sheep held until dip chemical stops dripping and all drainage running back into the dip bath \x{2022} Then keep sheep out of all streams, or wetland until their fleece is dry. As a minimum sheep should be kept in a fenced-off area overnight, without access to any streams or ditches but with drinking troughs or similar

The Groundwater Protection Code, Use and disposal of Sheep Dip Compounds, is available from the Defra website: www.defra.gov.uk   Application packs and guidance to prevent water pollution from sheep dip are available from the Environment Agency on 0845 9333111.