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  • Sheep dipping

Sheep dipping

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This General Binding Rule (GBR) applies to operating sheep dipping facilities, and operating sheep handling facilities where—

  1. sheep are held immediately after dipping,
  2. pour-on parasite treatments are applied, or
  3. sheep are held immediately after the application of pour-on treatments.

Authorisation level

General Binding Rule (GBR)

Rules

Sheep dipping is covered by General Binding Rules. If you intend to carry out this activity, and you comply with the rules set out below, your activity will be authorised. You don’t need to apply to SEPA for an authorisation.

If you carry out an activity under this authorisation you must comply with the rules. It is an offence to if you do not comply with the rules.

If you cannot comply with the rules, you will need a different type of authorisation.

General Binding Rule (GBR) for sheep dipping

  1. Sheep must be prevented from having access to any surface water or wetland while there is a risk of transfer of sheep dip fluid or any pour-on parasite treatment from their fleece to such places,

  2. no mobile sheep dipping facility, or part of any sheep dipping facility constructed on or after 1st April 2008 or sheep handling facility used for pour-on treatments constructed on or after 1st January 2018 may be located within 50 metres of any—

    1. river, burn, ditch, or loch as measured from the top of the bank,
    2. wetland,
    3. transitional water or coastal water, as measured from the shoreline, or
    4. well, spring or borehole,

  3. sheep dipping facilities must not discharge underground and must not leak or overspill,

  4. sheep dipping facilities must not be filled with water taken from the water environment unless—

    1. a device preventing back siphoning is fitted to the system, or
    2. the water is first placed in an intermediate container, and

  5. without prejudice to the continued requirement to obtain specific authorisation for the disposal of sheep dip under these Regulations, sheep dip facilities must be emptied within 24 hours following completion of dipping.

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