ANYONE dipping sheep will need to have a licence from Wednesday.

All contractors must be licensed and farmers who are under Form D restrictions must also obtain written permission from the Newcastle emergency disease control centre before they dip. They should telephone 0191 271 8680 for details. The restrictions also apply to shearing.

Contractors and handlers need separate dipping licences for different areas: red licences for infected areas and green licences for controlled areas.

A dipper cannot hold both licences although it is possible to switch from one to the other by re-applying for a new licence and surrendering the old one.

Licences can be obtained fromthe Meat and Livestock Commission on 01908 844 790