Three farms in pesticides inquiry

The effect of the illegal dip on animals or humans is not known

Three Welsh farms have been placed under restrictions because the farmers are still using pesticides to dip sheep, despite repeated warnings that they could be a risk to human health.

BBC Radio Cymru's weekly current affairs programme Manylu has discovered that the Veterinary Medical Directorate, a government agency, placed the animal movement restrictions to stop animals from these farms entering the food chain.

The Welsh Assembly Government said the farms were visited after warnings were issued, and it was found that a pesticide called Cypermethrin arable formulation had been used.

The location of the farms has not been revealed.

Rural Affairs Minister Carwyn Jones said farmers could be prosecuted if tests confirmed the misuse of the pesticide.

Lewis Griffith, the Farmers' Union of Wales officer in Ceredigion, said the news was a great worry, but he did not want people worrying about its significance.

It emerged in September that up to 300 Welsh farmers were using a Cypermethrin-based pesticide to dip sheep, instead of the cheaper licensed sheep dip.

The chemical is a pesticide designed for use on crops and has never been tested on animals, sparking fears it could be a risk to human health.

A statement issued by the assembly government on behalf of the Veterinary Medical Directorate said the possible threat could only be assessed after information is gathered.