The control of sheep scab in Wales is one step closer following the production of an industry-led sheep scab report which is set to be launched on Wednesday, November 7.
The report is a collaborative project between individuals from the farming unions, veterinary practitioners and other leading industry and stakeholder experts and was written in response to growing concern over the levels of sheep scab infestation in Wales.
The recommendations of the Welsh sheep scab industry group, which are contained in the report, have been passed to the Welsh Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group and to the Cabinet Secretary, Lesley Griffiths.
Group members are now calling on the Welsh Government to provide the funding needed to implement the recommendations outlined in the report.
Sheep scab is an insidious problem and has significant welfare implications for infected sheep. Previous attempts to eradicate this disease have had limited success and this is largely due to treatment regimes which have attempted to control this disease on a farm-by-farm basis.
The report of the Welsh sheep scab industry group recognises the need for treatment to be co-ordinated across contiguous premises and, if funded, would put a scab control programme in place which would increase the likelihood of neighbouring farms working together to eradicate this disease.
It is this fresh perspective on the disease that makes the recommendations within this industry-led report a more holistic and workable approach to disease control. It is hoped that better disease management and control will eventually lead to sheep scab freedom in Wales.
Dr Hazel Wright, FUW Senior Policy Officer, said: “Sheep scab remains a significant issue for our membership and the recommendations in this report aim to tackle common problems such as misdiagnosis and reinfection from neighbouring farms.
“Farmers in Wales cannot control this disease in isolation and the Sheep Scab Task and Finish Group therefore designed a programme which should improve the effectiveness of current treatment protocols by providing a platform for farmers to work together to eradicate this disease from their farms.
“It is now crucial that sufficient funding is provided to allow the recommendations in this collaborative industry-led report to come to fruition.”