Policy Briefings

Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) has emerged in Great Britain, with confirmed cases increasing through 2025. Reported cases do not fully reflect the true production and economic impacts. Farm-level effects vary widely: some holdings report mortality, reproductive loss and reduced productivity, while others see minimal disruption. Similar variability has been reported in the Netherlands and France, though comparisons are limited by methodological differences. In Great Britain, the virus reached higher livestock-density areas later in the outbreak, creating uncertainty about delayed production impacts and potential effects if spread occurs in more intensive regions. Current surveillance captures infection status and clinical reports but lacks structured production data to quantify the full economic burden. This project will map Scottish livestock production datasets, assess their accessibility and suitability, explore reasons for variability in disease impact, and identify key data gaps for future investment.

Sheep scab remains one of the most significant endemic diseases affecting the UK sheep sector, with major welfare, productivity and economic impacts. In Scotland, an estimated 1,500–2,250 cases occur annually, though underreporting means true prevalence is likely higher. Control relies on two treatments: macrocyclic lactone (ML) injectables and organophosphate (OP) plunge dipping. Widespread ML resistance has increased reliance on OP dipping. While highly effective, OP dip disposal presents environmental and regulatory challenges. Spent dip is classified as hazardous waste and must be disposed of through licensed routes. Increasing disposal restrictions and limited treatment capacity have created barriers to treatment uptake, and evidence suggests some spent dip remains unaccounted for within the regulatory system. This project will produce a concise evidence-based briefing summarising current knowledge on sheep scab control, focusing on dip disposal challenges and the development of Clean Dip filtration technology. The briefing will outline scientific developments, regulatory progress, stakeholder engagement and policy implications for the Sheep Scab Industry Working Group.

The ENRA Research Strategy consultation (2027–2032) identified Living Labs as a potential mechanism for strengthening links between science, policy and practitioners. The Science Advisory Board recommended using Living Labs to support co-creation of practical land-use solutions, improve adoption of innovation, and enhance missionoriented delivery across climate, biodiversity, rural economy and food system priorities. However, the term “Living Lab” is used inconsistently across sectors and countries. Approaches vary in scale, governance, setting and degree of stakeholder participation. To embed Living Labs within the next Strategic Research Programme (SRP), there is a need to clarify definitions, core principles and operational models appropriate to Scotland’s agricultural and environmental context. This project provides a rapid scoping review and options appraisal to inform RESAS’s wider Living Labs scoping phase and stakeholder engagement (November–December 2025).

With the global climate changing significantly over recent decades and continuing to do so despite efforts to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, infectious diseases once considered unlikely in the UK are now emerging or becoming more common.

Many livestock pathogens (viruses, bacteria and parasites) are sensitive to climate change, as they depend on specific environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and rainfall for their survival and/or development.

Furthermore, some pathogens are transmitted between animals by vectors or require intermediate hosts as part of their life cycle, and both vectors and intermediate hosts are themselves sensitive to changes in climate.

Spotlight: Livestock Infectious Diseases in a Changing Climate

The group aims to develop nature-friendly livestock farming practices that promote both environmental regeneration and improved animal health and welfare. The group will help identify where research on animal health and welfare in regenerative farming is most needed to provide scientific evidence to test and develop more informed decisions and practices. The next steps include gathering input on research priorities, inviting more members to join the working group, and exploring funding opportunities.

Spotlight:Policy Briefing ELF Group

A Tick and Tick Borne Disease (TBD) Workshop: September 2024

The workshop on Ticks and Ticks borne diseases addressed some of the most important topics for control of ticks and associated tick-borne diseases and included interdisciplinary working groups facilitated discussions (break-out sessions).

Bracken Control and Ticks Moredun 11-24