The aim of the Shetland Animal Health Scheme (SAHS) is to protect and enhance the health status of cattle and sheep on Shetland. The scheme tackles a wide variety of diseases.
The scheme provides a screening service for a range of livestock diseases at the point of entry to Shetland. For sheep these are MV, CLA, EAE, and Sheep Scab and for cattle BVD and Johne's testing. On-farm monitoring of herds and flocks further ensures that the test on entry is an effective disease control method.
The Scheme is provided as a service for the agricultural community in Shetland and makes no charge. Aid provided under this scheme is granted through subsidised services and will not involve direct payment of money to producers.
By testing imported livestock for disease, the principle aim of the SAHS is to sustain the high health status of Shetland’s sheep and cattle.
The SAHS applies for funding to run specific disease focussed projects, in recent years the SAHS has been involved in a Johne's Environmental Sampling project funded by Livestock Health Scotland, a Sheep Scab project funded by Livestock Health Scotland, and an OPA Project funded by the Coastal Communities Fund.
The SAHS also provides disease information which can then be acted upon in an appropriate manner by the farmer after consultation with the veterinary surgeon.