NOAH working on VPC OP recommendations
The National Office for Animal Health (NOAH) welcomes the
recommendation by the Veterinary Products Committee
that organophosphate sheep dips should remain available
for farmers while moves are made to further tighten safety measures.
"The VPC recommendations
announced by MAFF, are broadly in line with what dip manufacturers discussed with the
Minister last week", said Roger Cook, NOAH director. "We particularly welcome
the move to extend the Certificate of Competence to those handling OP concentrate as well as those making a dip purchase. NOAH
has long argued that a certificate holder should be in charge of every dipping gang,"
he added.
Dip manufacturers are continuing their investigations to improve ways
of handling dip concentrate, and NOAH will provide a forum for them to share knowledge and
experience where they can. However, past research has found that a practical solution is
elusive - the nature of the dip and the procedures necessary to dilute it have proved very
problematic in the past.
"Nevertheless, manufacturers will once again review their research
into the area of container design. A number of the packs used to illustrate the Institute
of Occupational Medicine's report date from the early 1990s and have long been superseded,
and over the years many improvements have been voluntarily introduced by industry.
Although the deadline of 3 months set by the Minister is very tight, they will endeavour
to make further proposals by that time - if, for example, a new transfer system is
possible, or indeed, beneficial," said Mr Cook.
"The IOM report's revelations that farmers, in 1996 at least, were
still in several cases paying absolutely no heed to safety recommendations is very
worrying", Mr Cook commented. "Farmers have undoubtedly improved their working
practices - as demonstrated by the fact that only one suspected adverse reaction to OP dips has been reported to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate as having taken place
since the introduction of the Certificate of Competence in 1995."
OP manufacturers are thoroughly
examining the IOM report and will be submitting their detailed views, as requested, to the
Committee on Toxicology and the Veterinary Products
Committee.
Further discussions with Government will take place once the companies
concerned and the Minister's advisory committees have had time to consider the report more
fully. "However it is clear from the complexity of the IOM report that there is no
single, easy answer. NOAH looks forward to working with MAFF, the Health and Safety
Executive and farming organisations to ensure the continuing availability of these
important aids to sheep welfare," added Mr Cook.
16 July 1999
Notes for Editors
For further information contact Roger Cook or Alison
Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131, or visit the NOAH
website.
The National Office of Animal Health was formed on 1
January 1986 to represent the UK companies which research, develop, manufacture and market
licensed animal health products. The association has 34 corporate members and 10 associate members.
In 1998 NOAH's members accounted for around 95% of the £384 million UK animal health
market, with additional valuable exports.
See also
Briefing document "Organophosphates
for animal health"
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