August 21, 2026 - 164 views
Farmers and land managers across North Wales are being asked to have their say on proposed changes to the rules and guidance covering the safe use and disposal of sheep dip.
Natural Resources Wales, working with the Welsh Government, has launched a 12-week consultation on an updated Groundwater Protection Code.
The guidance is particularly relevant to the many farming communities across North Wales, where sheep farming is an important part of the rural economy and landscape.
Sheep dipping is used to protect livestock from parasites, but NRW says incorrect use, storage or disposal of sheep dip can pollute rivers, streams and groundwater.
The proposed changes are intended to reflect current environmental requirements and farming practices while helping farmers reduce the risk of pollution.
One of the key changes would remove references to obtaining new environmental permits for disposing of waste sheep dip to land, as NRW says new permits are no longer issued in Wales. Existing permit holders will be able to continue operating under their permits for the time being.
The revised guidance would also include updated advice on where sheep dipping should and should not take place, including recommendations about dipping when rain is forecast.
Farmers would also be advised not to repair damaged or leaking dip baths, but instead to replace them or use a mobile dipping unit.
NRW says the guidance was last updated in 2017, and the consultation is an opportunity to ensure it reflects the realities of modern farming while providing appropriate protection for the environment.
Dave Jones, NRW's Senior Specialist Advisor for Groundwater, said the disposal of sheep dip to land had taken place for more than 30 years, but evidence of its cumulative impact could be seen in rivers and streams.
He said the organisation wanted to hear directly from the farming industry to ensure the updated guidance was practical.
For North Wales farmers, the consultation provides an opportunity to raise concerns about how the proposed changes could affect day-to-day livestock farming and sheep dipping operations.
The consultation runs until 16 October 2026, with the final guidance expected to be published in early 2027.
NRW is asking farmers, land managers and anyone with an interest in sheep dipping to comment on the proposals, including whether the measures are practical and whether any parts of the guidance need clarification.
