NOAH working on VPC OP recommendationsThe 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packs used to illustrate the Institute of Occupational Medicine's report date from the early 1990s and have long been superseded, and over the years many improvements have been voluntarily introduced by industry.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 EditorsFor 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 alsoBriefing document "Organophosphates for animal health"
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