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SEERAD Programme of Agricultural, Biological and Related Research 2002-2003

THEME 4: ANIMAL DISEASE, BEHAVIOUR AND WELFARE

SUMMARY OF COSTS:

THEME 4: ANIMAL DISEASE, BEHAVIOUR AND WELFARE

Research on animal health and welfare forms part of a cohesive programme of research on animal science (see also Themes 3 and 5). Theme 4 contains research on major endemic diseases of livestock, strategic research on large animal behaviour, and applied research on specific welfare problems of farmed animals. Livestock diseases constitute a huge source of economic loss to the farming and related industries every year. In addition, the swing away from intensive agricultural practices, and the implementation of policies in such areas as veterinary medicines and growth promoters, public health and the environment, pull the strategic aims of the programme towards more sustainable and efficient livestock rearing.

Excellence in herd health and animal welfare is dependent upon underpinning discipline-based research on the diseases of animals. This is approached in studies that will extend knowledge of the pathogenic or metabolic aetiologies of animal diseases, and develop understanding of the innate and acquired immune mechanisms of animals that permit them to avoid and survive infections. This knowledge will ultimately enable the development of sustainable strategies for disease control.

As described in the ABRG document Strategy for Agricultural, Biological and Related Research 1999-2003, the targeting of diseases for study will be increasingly linked to disease surveillance. Research aimed at extending current knowledge of the epidemiology, transmission and pathology of animal diseases is anchored in this context within themes dealing with epidemiology of animal diseases and pathology and pathogens. Underpinning epidemiology studies, projects within Theme 4.2 (Pathology and Pathogens) aim to describe and understand at cellular and molecular levels, the significant pathogens of animals (bacteria, viruses and parasites). Since some of the pathogens of animals are also zoonotic in humans, many of the projects have direct bearing on human health.

Dissection of the complex mechanisms of interactions of pathogens with their animal hosts is tackled at the molecular, cellular and whole animal levels within Theme 4.3 (Immunology and Host-Pathogen Interactions). A number of studies are aimed at extending understanding of the ruminant immune system, per se. In addition, a collection of projects within Theme 4.4 (Control of Animal Diseases), ranging from fundamental biology through to highly targeted strategic science, have the specific aim of devising control mechanisms for disease of animals which impact on the Scottish rural economy. As with much of the work listed in Theme 4, knowledge of the fundamental mechanisms under study informs the wider field of comparative medicine.

Theme 4.5 (Physiological Basis of Behaviour) contains studies aimed at establishing the underlying physiology associated with phenotypic expression of animal health and well-being. Fundamental behavioural science is linked to physiology and nutrition research in a multi-disciplinary approach to the identification of behavioural parameters of animal health while commonly recognised welfare problems are tackled in the more applied multi-disciplinary context of Theme 4.6 (Welfare in Farming Systems). Research on the behaviour of grazing animals is also contained within Theme 5.1.2 (Grazing Ecology).

The strategic relevance of the programme of research described here in Theme 4 can be defined within the "end use categories" identified in the ABRG Strategy for Agricultural, Biological and Related Research 1999-2003. Much of the emphasis within the programme lies in the development of sustainable strategies for disease control, therefore the programme is highly relevant to the development of sustainable agriculture. Research in this area builds on the opportunity afforded by the technique's revolution in both genomics and proteomics. The development of reagents and tools for research, vaccines and veterinary therapeutics is of particular relevance to the biotechnology industries. The increase in the fundamental understanding of zoonotic infections and of the biological systems that inform comparative medicine, ensures the relevance of the programme to human health. The pursuit of alternatives to traditional chemotherapeutics provides strategic relevance for parts of the programme within the end use category of environment and natural heritage.

4.1 Epidemiology of Animal Diseases

A major step in determining control strategies for animal diseases is to examine the epidemiology of disease. Within this developing SEERAD-funded programme, multi-disciplinary projects combine a variety of skills in order to tackle endemic diseases such as paratuberculosis, which have significant impact on the Scottish rural economy.

4.2 Pathology and Pathogens

SEERAD continues to support a skills base in animal pathology which is responsive to current and emerging diseases of veterinary significance. Molecular and immunological characterisation of major animal pathogens is an area of SEERAD investment in the Scottish science base which continues to extend knowledge, understanding, and ultimately provide control measures for a range of bacterial and viral pathogens. The emphasis on pathogens of small ruminants is appropriate within the Scottish agricultural framework. Organisms under study such as Mannheimia ( Pasteurella), and ovine herpes and parapox viruses, are of significance to livestock animals while others, such as Chlamydia, are also of importance to human health either by virtue of their zoonotic properties or of having comparative properties with human pathogens or pathologies. This theme includes SEERAD's contribution to a joint initiative with BBSRC on the "Biology of Food-borne Pathogens" as part of the UK-wide research effort in this area. Several projects in this theme contribute to the development of techniques suitable in a wide range of areas, including work on microarrays and proteomics.

4.3 Immunology and Host-Pathogen Interactions

This Theme contains research projects on ruminant immunology and characterisation of the complex interactions between the ruminant host and invading viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens. SEERAD remains committed to this important area of research, and the programme includes a range of immunological studies from molecular, to cellular, to specific tissues and biological microenvironments, through to the whole animal. The pathogens under study include species of agricultural relevance such as gastrointestinal parasites (nematodes and Neospora), microbial pathogens such as Mannheimia ( Pasteurella) and Chlamydia. Novel studies on the immune response to sheep scab mites aim to exploit underpinning expertise in sheep immunology and immune responses to other types of parasites. Work in this area is closely linked to studies in Theme 4.2 (Pathology and Pathogens) and Theme 4.4 (Control of Animal Diseases) as part of a cohesive programme of disease-related research aimed at the development of control measures.

4.4 Control of Animal Disease

Projects in this Theme are aimed at control of major endemic diseases of large animals. The benefits to sustainable agricultural practice and the environment associated with reduction in the use of chemotherapeutics, and increasing problems with anthelminthic resistance are among the driving factors for research to develop prophylactic control measures for infectious diseases and non-infectious disorders of large animals. Many of these studies are based on vaccines or genetic selection. The programme includes a number of prophylactic and genetic approaches aimed at the control of nematode parasites. This reflects the impact of these diseases on livestock farming and the considerable skills base that SEERAD supports in this field.

4.5 The Physiological Basis of Behaviour

Behaviour is an essential component of the phenotypic expression of health and wellbeing in animals and can reflect very specific dysfunctions in the metabolic processes of animals. The welfare of farmed animals is of major importance to SEERAD, and research aimed at understanding the metabolic effects which underlie certain modes of behaviour will assist the assessment of animal welfare in a non-anthropomorphic manner. Early indicators of disease and/or recovery may also be characterised by behaviour-based studies, and observations from this programme link to the other animal health sub-themes in a holistic approach to improving and maintaining animal health and welfare. SEERAD is committed to supporting this unique approach to animal welfare.

4.6 Welfare in Farming Systems

Strategic and applied studies contained within this theme have the objective of utilising fundamental scientific knowledge which will improve and enhance animal welfare within the complex context of the farming environment. These studies have a firm emphasis on improving sustainable agriculture in a very practical sense, and on resolving animal health issues, such as lameness in dairy cattle and psychological stress in pigs, which have been impacting on the welfare of these farmed animals in recent years. The programme relies on a strong policy emphasis and on consultation with industry to ensure that the subjects for study are appropriate and of high utility.

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