This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Extension for hill rams confirmed
11/11/2002
The proposed extension to the National Scrapie Plan
rules on Type 3 rams was confirmed today after a two-week
consultation of key industry stakeholders and all Breed
Societies.
Environment and Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie
said:
"I am greatly encouraged by the positive reaction these
proposed changes to the NSP have received.
"I am delighted to confirm the extension to the scheme
rules for the breeds which have faced difficulty with the
rules as they stood, will be effective forthwith."
He reiterated his support for the NSP, hoping that those
breeders who have been discouraged from participating in
the scheme due to the restrictions will now join.
A table showing which category each sheep breed falls
into under the revised scheme rules can be obtained by
phoning Julie Heneghan on 0131 244 2687.
The NSP will consist of three separate phases. A
programme of breeding for genetic resistance (Phase I), a
programme for monitoring TSEs in NSP registered flocks
(Phase II) and a programme for tackling the disease in
scrapie-affected flocks (Phase III).
The NSP was launched in July 2001 with Phase 1, the ram
genotyping scheme. Rules for Phase I of the NSP have been
published in a detailed NSP scheme brochure. This was
initially open to owners of purebred (pedigree) flocks that
were registered with a breed society.
In January 2002 the Ram Genotyping Scheme was extended
to the non-registered sector and flock owners who have
reported Scrapie since 1998.
Under original scheme rules Category 3 rams (ARQ/ARH,
ARQ/AHQ, AHQ/AHQ, ARH/ARH, AHQ/ARH, ARQ/ARQ) could be sold
or used for breeding until the end of 2004 and used for
breeding on the farm until 2007. The extension will give
breeders until end 2006 to sell type 3 rams and until the
end of 2008 to use them on farm. Certain breeds are happy
to continue with the present timetable (including Bluefaced
Leicesters). In summary:
- 3A includes hill breeds eg Blackface, Cheviot and
the rare breeds: Rams may be sold or used for breeding
without restriction until 31/12/2006. Continued
breeding on farm permitted until 31/12/2008.
- 3B exclusively Texels: Genotype restrictions for
ARQ/ARH, ARQ/AHQ, ARQ/ARQ, as category C below. Other
genotypes as Category A above.
- 3C includes Suffolks, Bluefaced Leicesters and
Border Leicesters. No change to the scheme rules
necessary. Rams may be sold or used for breeding
without restriction until 31/12/2004. Continued
breeding on farm permitted until 31/12/2007.
Proposals for Phases III to deal with Scrapie affected
flocks are currently being formulated. They will be subject
to public consultation in the near future.
The EU Commission is now drafting proposals for an
EU-wide genotyping programme for genetic resistance in
breeding sheep and for eradicating scrapie in affected
flocks.
The NSP operates within Great Britain which is treated
as a single veterinary area. The Department of Agriculture
and Rural Development in Northern Ireland (DARDNI) is
making arrangements for its own separate scheme.
Scrapie is a fatal neurological disease of sheep. It has
been present in the national flock for over 250 years, but
is not transmissible to humans. However, it leads to
serious animal welfare problems and its symptoms are not
dissimilar to BSE which is a similar type of TSE. The NSP
aims to reduce and over time eradicate scrapie from the
national flock. This will also have the benefit of removing
the theoretical threat of BSE, should there be any
scientific evidence that this disease is within the
national flock.