Evidence for the need of a fully funded scheme to tackle sheep scab will be presented by the farming community at the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee (AERA) this week (Thursday 8th May.)
The calls comes as sheep scab continues to affect sheep across the country. Scab causes a major health and welfare issue for the sheep, placing a financial and emotional burden on farmers and unnecessarily increasing the sector’s environmental impact.
The sheep industry is proposing a three-pronged approach to tackle the issue:
- A revision of the Sheep Scab (NI) Order recognising new diagnostic testing options and the emergence of resistance to injectable treatments
- Knowledge exchange and training of key sectors, including vets and SQPs authorised to prescribe medicines on-farm, in farm merchants and livestock marts
- The implementation of a centrally funded scheme enabling farmers to make and enact good choices around scab control
The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee (AERA) will take place at 11am on Thursday 8th May 2025. Proceedings can be watched live online.
ENDS
For a copy of the full briefing document, post-event information and interviews, contact Paul Crawford via email or telephone.
Email: paul@paulmrcvs.com