New step-by-step sheep quarantine guide launched

A new step-by-step guide to quarantine testing and treatments has been created by the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group. With sheep sale season well-underway, the SCOPS group is reminding farmers that quarantine treatment should be applied to all incoming sheep.It has developed a free step-by-step guide for quarantine testing and treatments for producers to use alongside support from their vets and advisers, if needed, with the aim of promoting conversation between the two parties.Speaking at a press briefing about the new quarantine resources and their application, Kevin Harrison, SCOPS chair and sheep farmer from Gloucestershire, said: "As a farmer, buying-in stock is one of the most concerning times of the year, with the potential to have the biggest negative impact on overall flock health."Whether it is one sheep or several hundred, any sheep coming onto the farm where the resistance status is unknown or likely to be different from the home farm, pose a risk of bringing parasites on-farm."GuideSet out to be reflective of SCOPS principles, in that products are only used when they are needed, the six-step guide provides clear steps on parasite risk assessment, finding information on tests for scab [ELISA test] and faecal egg counts (FECs), treatments available and best practice.There are also calendar-based examples covering different scenarios, together with a blank calendar that can be customised for individual farms. Lesley Stubbings, independent sheep consultant and SCOPS spokesperson, stressed that any sheep, including rams, coming onto the farm, whether purchased from other flocks or returning from grazing away or common grazing, pose a threat to the home flock.She said: "Flocks are at their most vulnerable when sheep are brought in from elsewhere, with many of the disease threats not visible, so protection relies on a combination of treatments and testing."Quarantine protocol is complex and considering how best to put an effective plan in place can seem challenging, so we are encouraging farmers to use the guide as a good starting point for discussions with their vet or advisers on how best to approach it on their farm, going through the stages of sheep arriving on-farm to them being safe to join the home flock."Flock healthDiscussing quarantine protocol and parasitic risk could also provide a lead in for producers to talk about other risks or elements of flock health, such as contagious ovine digital dermatitis, orf or other iceberg diseases, Ms Stubbings said.During the briefing, she explained how best to manage risk for roundworms, scab and fluke, which includes risk assessment, treatment, isolation, testing, joining the flock and, where appropriate, retreatment for incoming stock.She said: "SCOPS has put together examples using a calendar to demonstrate how to complete your own plan.