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Survey reveals true scale of sheep dipping illness
Sheep
The HSE survey examined sheep dipping facilities and practices on a nationwide sample of sheep farms.

Number of cases reported higher than previously thought

New details have emerged which reveal the true scale of organophosphate (OP) sheep dipping illness.


The Sheep Dip Sufferers Group obtained HSE's 1992 Sheep Dipping Survey following a freedom of information request. The report suggests that cases of sheep dip illness were higher than previously thought.


The document states that there were 160 occasions where some form of ill-health occurred after dipping. Yet just three were reported to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAFF) or the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).  


The Sheep Dip Sufferers group say that if the report was representative of the UK’s 90,400 sheep flocks, there would have been over 20,000 cases nationwide.


“HSE’s Epidemiology and Medical Statistics Unit suggested a better way of expressing these findings,” said campaign coordinator Tom Rigby.

“‘A crude incident rate of 8.9 self-reported illness episodes per 1000 dippers per annum’. This suggests a total of over 33,000 for MAF’s compulsory dipping years 1976-72.
"

He added: “Whatever the precise figure, it does seem by 1992 HSE were aware of the devastating effects dipping was having on the health of sheep farmers. We believe this is the reason MAFF ended compulsory dipping in June that year - something they have always denied”.

The HSE survey examined sheep dipping facilities and practices on a nationwide sample of sheep farms. This included 385 in England, 155 in Scotland, and 160 in Wales.

Sufferers of Sheep Dip Illness reported symptoms ranging from nausea and headaches to longer-term joint problems and memory loss.

Initial results of the study were published as a press release in 1993, but this is the first time that the full survey has been made available.

In light of their findings, The Sheep Dip Sufferers Support Group are now urging the Government to disclose correspondence between HSE and MAFF in the weeks before the decision to end compulsory dipping.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.