Fear of river pollution prompts seminar on mobile sheep-dipping

Nov 10 2004

By The Journal

The Environment Agency is to hold a seminar in Cumbria for mobile sheep-dipping contractors to help them minimise pollution risks. The one-day seminar is at the Environment Agency's offices at Ghyll Mount, Penrith, on November 18 in response to a recent increase in the use of contractors by local farmers. Representatives from the Health and Safety Executive will also be there to discuss handling and exposure to sheep dip. Environment Agency officer Hilary Deighton said: "If not properly contained, splashes and leakages from mobile dipping facilities can cause serious damage to the local environment and pose a potentially fatal threat to aquatic life. Agency officers have recently observed a number of mobile units with showering units and drainage pens which are not adequately contained and this has caused concern." The agency has produced a guide for the seminars, which will give pollution prevention tips to contractors and farmers who use mobile units, either in farmyards or on farmland. Ms Deighton said: Mobile systems can be used not only by contractors but also by farmers. "It is therefore vital that both groups follow these guidelines, whilst also sticking to the agency's national guidance for the dipping process itself."