Producers encouraged to attend sheep scab meeting

In response, the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland will be holding an open meeting on Tuesday, March 12, at Greenmount College at 7.45pm to explore whether demand exists for a programme to combat the disease in Northern Ireland.

Scab, which is a form of allergic dermatitis caused by the faeces of the sheep scab mite, is a significant welfare concern for affected sheep as well as an economic concern for producers and the wider wool industry.

In Scotland, vets started to develop a control strategy for the disease over a decade ago and Wales has recently launched its own eradication programme. The event at Greenmount will include an open discussion on the current situation in Northern Ireland, along with various aspects of disease treatment and control. The event will also offer the opportunity to learn about the current Welsh eradication programme and gauge whether or not there is a desire to start a similar process of control and eradication within Northern Ireland.

To register for the free event, please email: [email protected] with the subject line “Sheep Scab” and the names of delegates planning to attend.