Sheep scab reinstated as notifiable disease in Scotland

The Sheep Scab Order 2010 comes into force in Scotland from 17 December 2010 and reinstates sheep scab as a notifiable disease.

Dr David Bartram from PfizerVPS is encouraging sheep farmers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to emulate suitable elements that will help protect their flocks from sheep scab.

As a summary of the new legislation:

• Any person in possession of or in charge of sheep or carcases which they know or suspect have sheep scab must notify the divisional veterinary manager (DVM).

• Failure to notify is a criminal offence.

• The sheep owner or keeper must immediately apply self-imposed movement restrictions, except for movements for treatment, to slaughter or under notice/licence.

Movement restrictions remain in place until the sheep are slaughtered or one of three things happens:

1. All affected sheep are treated, 16 days have elapsed since treatment, and the owner notifies the DVM of treatment details (date of treatment, number of sheep treated and treatment used) in writing within two weeks of treatment, or

2. All sheep on the premises have been treated with a treatment that provides at least 16 days’ residual protection against re-infestation , or

3. The DVM receives written confirmation from a veterinary surgeon that, in their opinion, there are no affected sheep or carcases on the premises and there have not been any affected sheep or carcases on the premises within the previous 16 days.

To find out more about the disease, view our academy on sheep scab.