NFU CYMRU says it has welcomed the announcement of a new project aiming to eradicate Sheep Scab in Wales.
The three-year project, announced by the Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths yesterday (Monday 19th December) will be delivered by Coleg Sir Gar.
NFU Cymru Livestock Board Chairman Rob Lewis said: “Sheep Scab is a debilitating disease impacting on the Welsh sheep flock. It is highly contagious, so the more flocks we can get free of the disease, the easier we can control its spread with the long-term goal of eradicating this disease from Wales altogether.
“The project covers a number of areas, but the number one priority must be accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment if scab is confirmed. Whilst most sheep keepers would agree that plunge dipping is their preferred treatment, injectable control products also have a valuable role to play. Whichever treatment method is used, the most important factor is that it is administered correctly according to the label instructions.
“As farmers there is no shame in having scab in the flock, the shame is only if it is not treated promptly and effectively, as there is a significant knock-on effect that this disease can have on your neighbours and the Welsh sheep flock as a whole.
“NFU Cymru, as part of the industry wide stakeholder group, has lobbied hard over a number of years for this funding to be made available. We now look forward to working with the project team to ensure we have maximum benefit from this funding over the next three years.”
