The one issue that has sadly reminded many farmers that they are in the frontline when it comes to the hazards of pesticide use has been that of the organophosphate chemicals used in sheep dips. From 1976-92, the dipping of sheep with insecticides wasmade compulsory in order to combat the distressing disease of sheep scab caused by an insect parasite. Dipping also protected sheep from fly-strike, Until 1984, the main chemical used was lin-dane, a powerful insecticide which was withdrawn from use asa dip when its persistence and damaging effect in the environment became known. Since then the main chemicals used have been the organophosphates (OPs). These chemicals act on the nervous system, and are the same family of chemicals as those used in nerve gas, most recently by Saddam Hussein against the Kurds in Iraq.
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