Mobile dipping business hit by disease fears (From Western Telegraph)

Mobile dipping business hit by disease fears

Cases of fly strike among sheep flocks in Pembrokeshire have risen sharply.

Some farmers are cutting costs by not dipping because a market over-supply means they cannot sell their stock or are being paid below-production prices.

Others are worried about exposing their flocks to possible foot and mouth disease infection by allowing mobile dipping units on to farms.

All sheep dipping contractors have to be licenced under a new scheme administered by the Meat and Livestock Commission on behalf of DEFRA and the National Assembly for Wales.

Elgan Williams, of Henfeddau Fawr, Llanfyrnach, holds a licence and dips around 30,000 sheep a year. He has noticed a marked fall in business this summer.

'Money is short and farmers are leaving it to the last minute when their sheep already have maggots to make a booking,' he said.

'Farmers are also confused about the licencing arrangements. Some believe they have to hold a licence, not the contractor.'

The welfare problem will be compounded in the autumn when sheep need to be treated for scab.

All the signs point to over-stocking because of the demand slump. The export market has been wiped out because of foot and mouth disease and the home market is currently over supplied. Meanwhile, the Environment Agency is re-emphasising sheep dipping guidelines to reduce the risk of pollution and of spreading foot and mouth disease.

All sheep dip must be treated to kill the foot and mouth virus and be disposed of carefully.

'Unless the used dip is taken to a licenced landfill or incineration site, which is extremely unusual, disposal should be by spreading thinly on to suitable land. Preferably, this should be at the farm where the sheep are dipped,' said Bob Merriman, the Environment Agencys rural land use officer in Wales. To prevent the spread of the virus, all mobile equipment must be cleansed and disinfected before leaving farms.

Mr Merriman added: 'We are writing to sheep dip contractors to help ensure they are fully aware of the situation. By following the guidance and working together, we can minimise the risk of polluting our environment and, at the same time, help reduce the spread of foot and mouth disease.'

CAPTION:

Elgan Williams has noticed a marked fall in his mobile sheep dipping business this summer.