This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Voluntary Scrapie Flocks Scheme
05/04/2004
A scheme allowing sheep farmers to take action to
prevent scrapie reoccurring in affected flocks was
announced today.
The 'Voluntary Scrapie Flocks Scheme' is part of the
National Scrapie Plan for Great Britain and is open to
farmers who have had a case of scrapie confirmed on their
holding since July 1998.
On joining the programme all of the sheep in the flock
will be genotyped free of charge, the more susceptible ones
will be culled and replaced over a period of up to four
years, with more resistant stock.
The Scheme will also provide compensation for animals
culled, financial assistance towards the cost of purchasing
replacement rams of the most resistant genotype. Help will
also be available with sourcing other replacement
stock.
Eligible farmers are encouraged to join the scheme to
enable them to eliminate the disease from their flocks.
Farmers will have 12 months in which to apply.
Deputy Rural Development Minister Allan Wilson said
"Driving up animal health standards is a key aim of the
Scottish Executive's Animal Health and Welfare Strategy.
While the primary responsibility for this lies with animal
keepers, the National Scrapie Plan provides a good example
of the way in which government can work with the livestock
industry to achieve our shared goal.
"By joining this important scheme producers can
eliminate scrapie from their flocks and help achieve that
aim. That is why I urge every eligible producer to sign up
to the National Scrapie Plan scheme as soon as
possible.
"The scheme will be particularly welcomed by flock
owners who have been working hard to eliminate the disease
from flocks in Shetland"
Scrapie is a fatal neurological disease of sheep. It
has been present in the national sheep flock for over 250
years, but is not considered to be transmissible to
humans. There is a theoretical risk that BSE could be
present in sheep, masked by Scrapie, although it has not
been found naturally occurring in sheep. The National
Scrapie Plan for Great Britain (NSP) addresses that
risk.
The NSP is a voluntary, long-term programme to reduce
and eliminate scrapie in sheep through breeding for genetic
resistance.
The NSP Voluntary Scrapie Flocks Scheme is open to
farmers on holdings that have had a confirmed case of
scrapie since July 1998 (the introduction of compulsory
slaughter and compensation for clinically affected sheep).
Farmers will have 12 months - until end March 2005- to
apply.
Under the scheme the most resistant rams - NSP Type 1,
and Types 1 & 2 females have unrestricted use. In some
circumstances Type 3 females can be retained on the farm
and used for breeding but must leave the farm only for
culling and destruction. Sheep of other genotypes must be
culled before the next breeding season. Any sheep
genotyped on these farms and shown to carry at least one
(resistance conferring) ARR allele can go for slaughter
for human consumption: other sheep will be slaughtered and
disposed of free of charge.
Derogations to use Type 2 rams on the affected farm are
available in certain circumstances.
Only Type 1 or 2 males or females can be sold or used
elsewhere for breeding from participating flocks.
Compensation will be paid for animals slaughtered and
disposed of under this scheme. The rate for adult animals
will be £90, for cull ewes £30 and for lambs £50.
Assistance of up to £500 may be given towards the cost of
replacing a culled ram with an NSP Type 1 ram (only). If
derogation is taken to use Type 2 rams, compensation and
assistance payments will be less.
Extensive information on the NSP and scrapie is
published on the internet at:
www.defra.gov.uk/nsp
Following a recent consultation exercise, legislation to
enforce compulsory Europe-wide controls for currently
affected holdings is expected to be introduced this
spring. That legislation will not be retrospective.
Any eligible farmer who is interested in the scheme and
who has not received an application pack by April 20 should
contact the National Scrapie Plan Administration Centre
(telephone 0845 601 4858) email
nspac@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
Further information about the scheme (including the
scheme booklet) is available at
www.defra.gov.uk/nsp.