Newly elected Farmers’ Union of Wales president Glyn Roberts has written to UK minister of state for farming George Eustice, backing calls for an independent inquiry into the compulsory use of organophosphates (OPs) sheep dips on farms.

Farmers were previously required by law to dip their sheep with OPs in order to control infestations of sheep ectoparasites, however, mandatory dipping came to an end in 1992 amidst growing concerns over the impact the chemicals were having on farmers’ health.

“Successive UK governments have denied they knew of the dangers of OP exposure,” said FUW animal health and welfare committee chairman Dr Catherine Nakielny.

“However, the FUW now understands that numerous government documents, including some revealed under the freedom of information act, have revealed that officials were privately warned of the dangers farmers faced through exposure to OPs.

“By failing to provide adequate advice and health warnings to those who were mandated to dip their sheep, successive governments effectively increased the exposure of tens of thousands to a dangerous chemical.”

Dr Nakielny said that while compulsory OP dipping was a valuable tool in the fight against parasites such as the sheep scab mite, the apparently blasé attitude  of past governments to a chemical the 1951 Zukerman Report had warned should be labelled as “Deadly Poison” had led to the unnecessary exposure of entire families.

“Dipping on a family farm meant all hands on deck, with children and adults all pitching in without any idea of what they may have been exposing themselves to,” said Dr Nakielny.

Speaking in parliament last month, Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East, called for a full inquiry, independent of DEFRA, to question why farmers might have been compelled to use OP dips with no guidance if governmental research pointed to health impacts.

In response to the debate the minister of state for farming, George Eustice, told MP’s that he was sympathetic to farmers suffering from ill health and he acknowledged that some of them associate their illness with the use of organophosphate sheep dips.

In his letter to George Eustice, FUW President Glyn Roberts said “As you will be aware, numerous peer reviewed scientific publications have now demonstrated a credible link between the use of organophosphate sheep dip and producer ill-health.  To date, several hundred farmers from across the UK have cited debilitating health problems from exposure to organophosphate concentrates which occurred during the then Government’s compulsory dipping programme.

“We now believe the evidence supporting the establishment of an independent inquiry into organophosphate poisoning is incontrovertible and would urge you to support the widespread calls for such an inquiry.”

“We must congratulate Ms Morden and all others involved in bringing this debate to parliament and calling for an inquiry.  We very much hope that government will give this topic the attention it truly deserves,” added Mr Roberts.

[caption id="attachment_5439" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Former FUW president Bob Parry (far left) and current FUW president Glyn Roberts (far right) join the land army girls of Anglesey to commemorate their achievements.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5441" align="aligncenter" width="300"] FUW Anglesey county executive officer Heidi Williams and FUW president Glyn Roberts (both back row) celebrate the work of the land army girls at the memorial plaque presentation.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5442" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 93 –year-old land army girl Sybil Hammond unveils the memorial plaque[/caption]

The tremendous effort made by the land army girls of Anglesey during the first and second World War have been commemorated with an official plaque by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

The plaque, which was sponsored by the Anglesey branch of the FUW and local community, was revealed on Friday June 26 during an official ceremony on the Anglesey agricultural show ground.

“We can never thank the land army girls enough for all their hard work, tenacity and determination to feed this country by working the land during the first and second World War. This plaque shows our respect and offers just a small token of our appreciation,” said FUW Anglesey county executive officer Heidi Williams.

The event was well attended and offered a fantastic opportunity for former land girls to share their memories and reminisce about the time they spent on the island working the land. Among them was 93-year-old Sybil Hammond, who made the journey from the Isle of Wight, to join her former comrades and officially reveal the plaque.

“Even though it was difficult what we had to do during the war – we were proud to do it. I must thank the FUW for recognising our efforts here on Anglesey with this plaque and I can say that it is more than I could have ever hoped for,” said Mrs Hammond.

Following the official plaque unveiling, visitors saw a vintage tractor parade and enjoyed light refreshments prepared by the FUW county office whilst catching up with old friends.

“I would like to thank all our sponsors for their very kind donations which have helped to make this day so very special for many and also those who have travelled so far to be here with us,” added Mrs Williams.

Bringing the event to a close was the Ysgol Henblas choir who delighted young and old with their songs.

[caption id="attachment_5436" align="aligncenter" width="300"] : (L-R) Aberystwyth vice-chancellor Professor April McMahon, Deputy Minister for Farming and Food Rebecca Evans, FUW animal health and welfare committee chairman Dr Catherine Nakielny, Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales Professor Christianne Glossop and FUW senior policy officer Dr Hazel Wright.[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has today (June 29) welcomed the official opening of the Wales Veterinary Centre in Aberystwyth on the site of the former Veterinary Investigation Centre. 

The Centre, which was officially opened by the Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans, is designed to provide support to veterinary businesses in Mid and North Wales. 

FUW senior policy officer Dr Hazel Wright said: “Alongside providing improved access to expert veterinary post-mortem examinations, the centre will be of benefit to livestock keepers by enhancing the diagnosis of new and emerging diseases of farm animals. 

“Factors such as climate change are known to increase the risk of new or emerging diseases and the ability of the industry to detect such threats early is imperative for both livestock health and business sustainability. 

“The devastating impacts of novel diseases, such as the Schmallenberg virus, are well known to the livestock sector and it is therefore essential that scanning surveillance is not only maintained, but strengthened in Wales. 

“The FUW was therefore pleased to learn that the Deputy Minister has committed to reversing the erosion of such services by restoring post-mortem services across Wales.  The opening of the Welsh Veterinary Centre represents a positive step forward.”

The Denbighshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is urging its members to help save Mold Auction mart from closure by filling in an online survey.

“The future of this historic mart is on the line and we believe that the movement of this century-old livestock  market will destroy the town and its history. Mold is one of the very few market towns left with its livestock market still in the centre of town and it is the heart of the community,” said FUW Denbigh and Flintshire county executive officer Mari Dafydd Jones.

“I would like to encourage our members to fill in the survey at their earliest convenience to make their voices heard. Bearing in mind that it is an online survey and many of our members do not have access to a computer, I would like to offer them the opportunity to fill in the survey at our county office.

“Please contact the office on 01824 707198 to arrange for an appointment or those with access to a computer can fill in the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MoldLMU” added Ms Jones.