Lice Infestation In Flocks In Bay

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29890, 2 August 1962, Page 14

Lice Infestation In Flocks In Bay

. (Now Zealand Press Association; DANNEVIRKE, August 1. Sheep flocks in Southern Hawke’s Bay are heavily infested with lice, according to local farmers and they claim that this is directly due to the Department of Agriculture’s decision to place a ban on the strongest dips.

Some substitutes had proved effective but they required more careful application to obtain a successful kill and,' in many instances, had 'given a far shorter immunity than was the case previously, farmers said today. Hawke’s Bay farmers who have visited other parts of the country recently suggest that the infestation of flocks is general. With lambing only a matter of days away, it is, some claim, too late to take further precautionary measures by immersion methods, and dip spraying or dusting in bad weather would be a waste of time and money.

The farmers claim that United States interests brought great pressure to bear on New Zealand to ban the use of stronger dips but United States farmers are still allowed to use them. One farmer said it seemed senseless to accede to the United States's request and endanger New Zealand's flocks not only for this year but for several years to come. Experienced farmers claim that only prompt action can save the situation. They say that the current state of affairs could well mean less meat and less wool in the coming season. The Department of Agriculture is carrying out widespread inquiries in the matter, but farmers feel they could well take too long for action to be effective. Lice infestation of the new season's lambs could well be disastrous, they say. Report Ordered “I am concerned at the state of affairs which appears to have developed in some areas and which was brought to my attention a few days ago,” said the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Taiboys) tonight.

"Urgent investigations are being carried out by departmental officers to establish the extent of the problem and I am expecting a full report within the next day or so. -

“It will be recalled that, last year, the Governmen' decided to ban the use of sheep dips based on dieldrin aldrin and other similar substances. This decision arose from reports of dieldrin residues being discovered in some of our meat arriving in the United States, placing that market, in jeopardy. “Before tne drastic step of banning these dips and recalling all supplies was taken, consultations were held and full facts placed before the producer boards and Federated Farmers. It was unanimously agreed that the use of the materials should be banned immediately

“The report, which I have asked to be supplied to me urgently, will contain an assessment of the materials at present available to farmers and the result of investigations into the methods of using them.”