Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 6

Written Answers. - Sheep Dip.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

104 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will report on the status of organophosphate dip in view of the fact that it has been withdrawn in the United Kingdom since 20 December 1999; and the tests, if any, undertaken to establish the effect of the chemicals on sheep in view of evidence that this dip can cause a wide range of illnesses in humans, including damage to the nervous system. [5034/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The competent authority in Ireland for the approval of organophosphate sheep dips is the Irish Medicines Board. I understand that the IMB is currently engaged in reviewing the report of the UK committee on toxicity to determine what action, if any, will be required in this country, particularly in relation to the safety of users of concentrated product.