Toxic Sheep Dip Banned

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The Environment Agency (EA) and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) issued a statement yesterday confirming a permanent ban of cypermethrin sheep dips.

The sale of cypermethrin sheep dip products had been temporarily banned by Defra since 21 February 2006, and the Salmon & Trout Association (S&TA), Atlantic Salmon Trust, Anglers’ Conservation Association (now re-named Fish Legal), Buglife – the Invertebrate Conservation Trust, and other fisheries environmental groups, have been seeking a permanent ban ever since.

The Sheep Dip Stakeholder Steering Group involved representatives from all sides of the argument and developed an Action Plan for the Pollution Reduction Programme for sheep dip, including the “Stop-Every-Drop” message and associated industry led campaign. However, continual lobbying, backed up by the threat of legal action and freedom of information requests, from the fisheries and environmental sector has led to the only sustainable decision possible from this action.

The pressure has resulted in an unexpected development. In recent weeks, the three manufacturers of cypermethrin sheep dip products have voluntarily written to instruct the VMD to expire the Marketing Authorisations for their cypermethrin sheep dip products, which had duly been actioned. That means there are now no cypermethrin sheep dip products with a UK Marketing Authorisation. Defra Ministers have been informed of this situation.

Paul Knight, CEO of the S&TA, said, “this day has been long in coming, but marks a significant step in the improvement of UK rivers. It brings to a conclusion fifteen years of work by S&TA and other organisations to get these lethal chemicals banned from entering our waterways. Miniscule amounts of cypermethrin have proved incredibly damaging to aquatic insects, fish eggs and the fish themselves, causing widespread damage in Wales, SW and NW England and many other areas. Achieving this permanent ban proves that the concerted, coordinated lobbying and influence of fisheries organisations can bring about real benefits for the aquatic environment and its dependent species.”

Mark Lloyd, CEO of Fish Legal and the Angling Trust, said: “we are delighted that the manufacturers have finally thrown in the towel and given up trying to sell these chemicals which have done so much harm to UK rivers. The recent decision by the Information Commissioner to force the manufacturers to reveal their previously-secret environmental risk assessments was very significant, not just for the fate of cypermethrin, but for other polluting chemicals. Fish Legal will fight the manufacturers’ attempt to appeal this important decision.”



Notes;

The Salmon & Trout Asociation (S&TA) was established in 1903 to address the damage done to our rivers by the polluting effects of the Industrial Revolution. For 105 years, the Association has worked tirelessly to protect fisheries, fish stocks and the wider aquatic environment on behalf of game angling and fisheries. In 2008 it was granted charitable status. S&TA’s charitable objectives empowers it to use its highly regarded influencing skills to address all issues affecting fish and the aquatic environment, backed up by strong scientific evidence from its burgeoning Science Department – a vital factor in 21st century policy and decision making processes. Its charitable status enables it to take the widest possible remit in protecting salmonid fish stocks, and everything on which they depend.

Fish Legal is the new name for the Anglers’ Conservation Association that was founded in 1948 with the purpose of using the law to fight to protect the aquatic environment and fisheries throughout the UK. As of the 5th January Fish Legal also became the legal arm of the new unified body for angling in England, the Angling Trust. Fish Legal uses the civil law to fight for compensation in the event that a member club or riparian owner’s fishery is damaged. All compensation is returned to the members represented to plough back into angling and the protection of the aquatic environment. Clubs or riparian owners wishing to join Fish Legal should phone 01568 620 447 during office hours or download a subscription form from the website: Fish Legal

That reminded me of a problem encountered in Africa, ( forgive me for going off topic) The domesticated cattle out there were treated with something similar, this was passed out in the dung. The dung was taken by dung beetles which died because of the chemical. This led to an excess in dung which in turn over fertilised the plains and so changed/affected the natural ecosystem.

I know its different but just shows the indirect effects of these chemical and these are just as harming as the direct effects. ( Sorry once again )