AHWSSG Sheep Scab Task and Finish Group Paper January 2014 The challenge of eradicating sheep scab - a report of recommendations to the Welsh Government by the Sheep Scab Task and Finish Group 1 AHWSSG Sheep Scab Task and Finish Group Paper January 2014 Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................. 4 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 5 Obstacles to Eradication ..................................................................................................................... 9 Potential Risks .................................................................................................................................... 12 Facilitation of Diagnosis .................................................................................................................... 14 Legislation ........................................................................................................................................... 16 Industry Activity................................................................................................................................... 21 Mynydd Epynt Group ......................................................................................................................... 23 Dyffryn Dyfi Group .............................................................................................................................. 24 Funding ................................................................................................................................................ 27 Recommendations ............................................................................................................................. 29 Annex I - Terms of Reference .......................................................................................................... 31 Annex II - Sheep Scab Task & Finish Group members ............................................................... 32 Annex III – Outline for the operation of Sheep Scab Eradication Programme in an affected area ...................................................................................................................................................... 33 Annex IV – Suggested Process Flow (text & diagram) for implementation of a Sheep Scab Eradication Programme ..................................................................................................................... 36 Annex V - „Stamp Out Scab‟ – England Training and Awareness Campaign .......................... 39 2 AHWSSG Sheep Scab Task and Finish Group Paper January 2014 Introduction 1. The Sheep Scab Task and Finish Group was established by the Animal Health and Welfare (AHWS) Strategy Steering Group to make recommendations to the AHWS Steering Group and Welsh Ministers on the eradication of sheep scab in Wales. The AHWS Steering Group is made up of relevant organisations, is facilitated by the Welsh Government, and aims to work in partnership to take forward the implementation of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy1 in Wales. Sheep scab has been identified by the AHWS Steering Group as a key priority. 2. The Sheep Scab Task and Finish Group is made up of individuals from the farming unions, veterinary practitioners and other leading industry and stakeholder experts. A list of Sheep Scab Task and Finish Group members can be found at Annex II. 3. The terms of reference of the Sheep Scab Task and Finish Group can be found at Annex 1. 1 http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/ahw/animalhealthandwelfarestrategy/?lang=en 3 AHWSSG Sheep Scab Task and Finish Group Paper January 2014 Executive Summary 1. This is a summary of the key points relating to the development of the report and the associated recommendations:- 2. Sheep Scab is caused by a parasitic mite that lives on the surface of the skin. The principal features of the disease are:- It is a serious threat to sheep welfare. It can be extremely debilitating and, if left untreated, causes suffering which will eventually lead to a painful death. It is highly contagious and can spread quickly both within and between flocks. It causes significant economic losses to the sheep industry in Wales as a direct result of the debilitating impact of the disease on sheep welfare. 3. Sheep Scab was historically controlled by compulsory dipping up until deregulation in 1992. Since 1992 disease incidence has increased across Wales particularly in less favoured areas and in flocks grazing on common land. The group reviewed current legislation in Wales within the provision of the Sheep Scab Order 1997 and, for comparison, the Sheep Scab (Scotland) Order 2010 noting their respective strengths and weaknesses. It is estimated that the cost of sheep scab to the industry in Wales over a five year period could equate to in excess of £12m. 4. The group considered the challenge of accurate diagnosis, effective and sustainable disease outbreak management including highlighting preventative measures through health planning, good flock biosecurity and best practice at farm level. 5. The role of the various industry stakeholders was considered along with knowledge transfer delivery programmes and consideration of current local initiatives in Wales and those taking place elsewhere in the UK including in England. Funding options were considered with respect to the potential cost implications of implementing the recommendations to the industry, Welsh Government and other stakeholders. 6. The key recommendations made in the report are:- Eradication of Sheep Scab in Wales, Strengthen current legislation in Wales through amending the Sheep Scab Order 1997, Introduce a statutory requirement to report suspected disease, Compulsory treatment of infected flocks, Provision to inform flock keepers contiguous to affected premises, place movement restrictions and enforce treatment2, Authority to trace sheep movement on and off the affected premises, 2 unless adequate biosecurity exists and / or veterinary evidence is provided that scab does not exist on that contact premise 4 AHWSSG Sheep Scab Task and Finish Group Paper January 2014 Complement legislative changes with industry and stakeholder initiatives promoting best practice, Establish an on-going monitoring and evaluation programme, Consider various funding vehicles to facilitate and support implementation of the recommendations; and Review the Environmental Permitting Regulations and their implementation in respect of waste sheep dip groundwater discharges. 7. There has been proactive engagement by members of the group with industry representatives including the Farmers‟ Union of Wales (FUW), National Farmers Union (NFU) Cymru, and the National Sheep Association (NSA). Background 8. The Welsh sheep meat sector is an important primary production industry in respect of the rural economy and sustainable management of the landscape. Finished sheep and lambs contributed £255 million to Welsh agricultural output in 2011 (20% of overall agricultural output). The value of Welsh Lamb exports from the UK was worth £124 million in 2012. There are 14,700 sheep and lamb holdings in Wales3 and the total value of the red meat sector to the Welsh economy; taking into account the agricultural, processing and retail sectors; is estimated by the red meat promotion agency HCC to be in excess of £1 billion per annum. 9. Sheep scab is a major welfare concern to the sheep industry and is caused by a mite (Psoroptes ovis) that is transmitted by direct contact with infected sheep or objects. The scab mites live on the surface of the skin causing an allergy to their droppings and it is this allergic reaction that causes the sheep to scratch. Transmission of the disease occurs primarily from sheep to sheep contact but can also occur through contact with infected areas in the environment such as rubbing against contaminated posts, transportation or handler‟s clothing4. The disease is highly contagious and can occur at any time of the year. Infected animals will tend to scratch large areas of their fleece resulting in extensive bald patches.5 In addition to sheep, this disease is also known to infest goats, horses, camelids and rabbits6 with new incidences in cattle also reported in recent years7 10. Between November 2006 and March 2007 HCC undertook a survey of Welsh sheep farms to get an indication of the prevalence of ectoparasites in Wales8. 3 Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) 4 Sargison et al., 2006a 5 Cross et al 2010., Preventive Veterinary Medicine 96 (2010) 252–262 6 Bates, 1999a 7 Mitchell,2010 8 HCC, 2008. The Influence of Ectoparasites on Welsh Sheep Farms. Welsh Assembly Government, Farming Connect, Hybu Cig Cymru. 5 AHWSSG Sheep Scab Task and Finish Group Paper January 2014 This survey indicated that 11.6%, 57.5%, 11.1% and 15% of Welsh farms were affected by scab, flystrike, ticks and lice respectively. In developing the HCC Parasitology Action Plan for Wales 20119, a survey was undertaken in 2010 which indicated that sheep scab was considered to be a problem for at least 39% of the 200 farmers interviewed, and lice for 42% of the farmers interviewed. Of the 30 farmers who were involved in the Farming Connect Red Meat Development