Report by SENRGy staff highlights economic impact of sheep scab in Wales
A report published by Bangor University scientists has played an important role in the setting up of a national task group that will investigate ways of tackling a disease which costs the Welsh sheep-farming industry over £5 million annually.
The report, authored by staff at Bangor University’s School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography (SENRGy), presents research into approaches to the treatment of sheep scab in Wales. The disease has significant implications for animal welfare and financially for the livestock industry. The data presented, was gathered from a survey of 574 Welsh sheep farmers.
The report found regional differences across Wales in how the problem of scab is perceived by farmers as well as data suggesting that high treatment costs may be acting as to deter some farmers from treating their livestock against the disease. Through the research, the authors (Dr Paul Cross, Prof. Gareth Edwards-Jones, Dr Hussain Omed and Dr Prysor Williams) were able to estimate that the disease costs the Welsh sheep industry £5.86 million per year.
The findings of the report have provided impetus to the formation of the Sheep Scab Task and Finish group, which will be industry-led and will report its findings to ministers in the Welsh Government by the end of 2012.
A copy of the report is available through the Welsh Government website:
A BBC News article on the working group is available at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-17991028
Publication date: 10 May 2012