Annex 1
Copy of letter to Aberdeen Press and Journal
from Mr George Simpson
SHEEP DIPS
SIR,
I write regarding the story (the Press and
Journal, 22 December) in which the chairman of the Scottish
NFU's livestock committee, Malcolm Morrison said organophosphorous
dip (OP dip) provided the most cost effective treatment for scab.
He also said that its continued availability was absolutely essential
for the health and welfare of our sheep. This is not the case;
it is not absolutely essential for the health and welfare of our
sheep, as there are other, safer products on the market which
are said and proven, to do the job just as well—for example,
non-organophosphorous dip and injectables.
As one of the 800 recorded sufferers of OP dip,
I would like to ask Mr Morrison how much he is involved with the
use of this substance, as it seems to have affected his judgement.
I am a contract shepherd working 365 days a
year with sheep and am very much in favour of banning OP dips
in favour of an alternative.
We may dress up like spacemen (or women) to
dip our sheep, but as a sheep shearer, how do I and thousands
like me protect ourselves from the residues of OP dip on sheep's
wool, especially in a country where health and cleanliness is
of the utmost importance.
For four or five days a week, during the winter
months, I find myself shearing dirty lambs to present them clean
for the abattoir. Many of these lambs reek from the smell of Op
dip, and please don't suggest rubber boots, rubber trousers, rubber
jacket, rubber gloves, rubber apron and face mask, as there is
room for only one fairy on our Christmas tree.
George Simpson,
Kirkland, Forgue
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