Shetland Animal Health Scheme

SAHS efforts to prevent sheep scab introduction to Shetland. 

2021 Sheep Scab Outbreak

In 2021 we had a sheep scab outbreak in Shetland. It is likely that an injectable resistant mite was imported.  Following this over 10,000 sheep were dipped.  The SAHS has been working on making sure Shetland is prepared to stop sheep scab from entering again.  Below is some of the work we have been doing to prevent the reintroduction of sheep scab to Shetland.

SLMG Dipping Facility

This service has been set up to reduce the chances of sheep scab being introduced to Shetland. The only way we can keep Shetland sheep scab free is by working together. The dipping facility at SLMG has had two successful years and will continue to offer sheep dipping for imported animals coming into Shetland. 

Sheep imported to Shetland will be tested and treated by the Shetland Vet Practice at the pier as usual. The owner/importer will then be responsible for transporting the animals to the community dipping facility at Staneyhill. The sheep will then be dipped and the owner/importer can transport them home. It would be appreciated if sheep can be collected promptly from the pier.

LHS Sheep Scab Project

The LHS Sheep Scab Project blood tested all sheep coming in to Shetland in 2022. 

Findings

· 10% of imported rams were positive for sheep scab.

· This study found similar levels of sheep scab in shipments from different sales

From this project we have learned that we need to stay vigilant about sheep scab entering Shetland particularly as cases of sheep scab continue to rise.

2024 Regulations Change

The Shetland Animal Health Scheme is pleased to share the Shetland Islands Council Sheep Scab Regulations (2024) as they have been confirmed by the Scottish Government. 

The main changes are

The veterinary surgeon can now choose plunge dipping as the treatment for sheep scab on import to Shetland.  Formerly an injectable product was used however, ineffectiveness has been recorded as sheep scab mites have become resistant to the injectable product.  This means that plunge dipping is the most effective way to make sure sheep scab doesn’t come into Shetland.  The injectable product is still useful to protect against the introduction of anthelmintic resistant worms.

There is now a slaughter exemption clause in the regulations.  This slaughter exemption is only permissible should the conditions set out in the veterinary protocol be followed.  This protocol is determined by the vets and must ensure that there can be no transmission of sheep scab from slaughter sheep to home flocks.  We will continue to support the vets with the slaughter exemption clause.  Animals which have been dipped cannot then be slaughtered as there is a withdrawal period from the dipping product[MLH&TS1] .

The most secure way to avoid sheep scab entering Shetland is dipping at the SLMG dipping facility however there is an option for importers wishing to arrange dipping prior to entry to Shetland.  This must be carried out within 30 days of shipping by a licensed contractor. 

We would like to thank all of the Shetland crofters and farmers who participated in our consultation earlier in the year, without such strong support we wouldn’t have been able to get these changes approved.  We thank you for your continued efforts in keeping Shetland free of sheep scab, without everyone continuing to work together Shetland will have sheep scab again.  

Sheep Scab Videos and the Current Situation

Sheep scab is becoming more common in mainland Scotland and unfortunately it is now recognised that sheep scab mites which are resistant to injectable products are present in Scotland.  It is very probable that numbers of imported ram which have been recently exposed to sheep scab mites will be higher than 10%.  It is very important that we all continue to work together to keep Shetland sheep scab free. 

More information can be found on YouTube at the following link. 

Lets Keep Shetland Sheep Scab Free