Topics and Briefing Documents

Organophosphates

"Organophosphate" describes a huge range of chemicals with a very wide spectrum of physical and chemical properties. The very few OPs which have been chosen for use in animal medicines were selected, based on a combination of efficacy and wide safety factors, as being most appropriate to deal with specific target pests by practical means of application.

Both pets and farm animals suffer infestations of external parasites. These make their lives a misery and spread infections. In pet animals, fleas are the most common; in farm animals, lice, mange mites, scab mites and ticks are the principal problems. Distressing enough on their own, these parasites can even lead to secondary problems - for example, flea bites often cause allergic dermatitis.

Responsible owners of animals want to protect their charges from these infestations. Indeed, it is obligatory to protect farm animals from infestations under the Farm Animal Welfare Codes. Failure to do so can lead to prosecution for neglect. It is also in a farmer's best interest financially, as healthy animals are more productive.

More...

• Organophosphates for Animal Health
• Pharmacovigilance: Monitoring Suspected Adverse Reactions to Animal Medicines
• Controls on Animal Medicines
• Common Questions about Medicines for Farm Animals

Press releases

• OP Sheep Dips: VPC Decision (27 September 2000)
• More positive news on OP dips (25 August 2000)
• OP dips should be back in late autumn says NOAH (17 August 2000)
• MAFF must learn from Committee criticisms says NOAH (23 May 2000)
• NOAH requests urgent meeting with MAFF Ministers on OP dips (12 January 2000)
• Government plans on OP dips a "logistical nightmare" says NOAH (20 December 1999)
• NOAH welcomes COT Report on OPs (26 November 1999)
• NOAH working on VPC OP recommendations (16 July 1999)
• NOAH meets Minister on OPs (7 July 1999)
• NOAH comments on the IOM report (1 July 1999)
• NOAH reminds farmers of Groundwater deadline (19 March 1999)
• Animal medicine disposal: register your farm now (27 January 1999)
• NOAH Dismisses Alleged Link Between OPs and BSE (25 September 1998)
• NOAH welcomes new sheep dipping leaflet (12 March 1998)
• Dip Disposal Treatments Help Farmers Minimise Pollution Risk (1 August 1997)
• Latest VPC Advice on OP Dips Welcomed by NOAH (19 February 1997)

Further information

• Stop Every Drop campaign
• Update on Organophosphate Group Litigation (updated 9 December 2002)
• DEFRA press release "Return to the market of OP sheep dips" (9 November 2001)
• DEFRA press release "OP sheep dips:progress on the development of closed transfer system" (31 October 2001)
• DEFRA press release "OP sheep dips: progress on the development of closed transfer systems" (5 September 2001)
• HSE / VMD / DETR publication 'Sheep Dipping' AS29 (rev2) available free from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6SF. Telephone numbers of local Health & Safety Executive offices are in the telephone directory.
• The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (the executive agency responsible for licensing animal medicines in the UK) can be contacted on +44 (0)1932 336911.
• The National Proficiency Tests Council (the executive agency responsible for administration of the sheep dipping certificate) on +44 (0)1203 696553.