A NATIONWIDE battle to outlaw potentially deadly chemical sheep dips is being backed by sheep farmer Brenda Sutcliffe.

Brenda, 57, from Sheep Bank Farm, Littleborough, began her personal crusade to ban the use of dips containing organo phosphates three years ago when her entire family suffered severe side-effects after using them on their farm.

Since then she has amassed a wealth of medical and scientific evidence from around the world. And she is determined to continue fighting until the dips are made illegal. A Merseyside firm of solicitors is also asking other people affected by the dips, to contact them.

"Until a few years ago it was a legal requirement for all farmers to dip their sheep," said Brenda. "But when farmers started suffering side effects it was blamed on everything else except the dips. The government has never acknowledged the problem and they blame any side-effects on the farmers not following the proper safety precautions. "But this is a really serious problem and can cause death in extreme cases.

"Like most farmers I was very ignorant about this until my family was affected.

"My sons had stomach and head pain, some had dizziness, vomiting and slurred speech and I suffered a lot of mental problems including severe anxiety attacks.

"But because the symptoms are so wide ranging doctors very often don't diagnose organo phosphate poisoning."

Brenda has written to scientists and doctors all over the world to find out more about the problem.

Anyone who feels they have been affected by organo phosphates can contact Rod Knight at J Keith Park and Co. Solicitors, 39 Barrow Street, St Helens, Merseyside on 01744 730933.

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