To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the environmental consequences of the use of synthetic pyrethroid sheep dips; and if he will make a statement. [9702]

As with all veterinary medicines, no sheep dip is authorised for use unless it meets stringent statutory requirements for safety, quality and efficacy. Safety includes safety of the environment.Following its review in 1996 of the effectiveness of the certificate of competence scheme for the purchase of organophosphorus sheep dips, the independent scientific Veterinary Products Committee—VPC—which advises Agriculture and Health Ministers on veterinary medicines, has begun a further review of the use of non-OP sheep dips, including synthetic pyrethroid dips. Ministers expect to receive the VPC's advice later this year.