Online event to give advice on sheep dipping and scab

ANYONE keeping sheep in Shetland is invited to attend a free online event next week to learn more about scab disease, the dipping of sheep and to ask questions to an expert panel.

Dr Stewart Burgess from the Moredun Research Institute will speak about the disease and how to recognise it, including in its early stages. 

He will also cover testing and treatment options and how patterns of sheep scab infection are changing in the UK.

It comes after Shetland’s first case of scab in nearly 30 years was identified in an imported ram earlier this year, leading to thousands of local sheep being dipped as a result.

A new mobile dipping facility was opened in Lerwick earlier this month for imported sheep.

Rachel Mallet of sheep dipping pharmaceuticals company Bimeda will also speak about the practicalities of dipping, care of sheep before and after, and the protection of personnel.

Advertisement9 of 10

Ally Ward, national veterinary manager for Zoetis, which manufactures veterinary pharmaceuticals, will be the third member of the panel and will take questions on injectable treatments for sheep scab.

The event will be chaired by Karis Stevenson, veterinary surgeon from Shetland Vets, with technical details handled by Lyall Halcrow from the council’s environmental health team.

The online meeting will be held using Microsoft Teams, and will take place at 7pm on Monday 26 September.

Anyone interested joining the meeting is asked to email ehadmin@shetland.gov.uk for a link to join the meeting or to contact the council’s environmental health team on 01595 745250 for more details.

This event is jointly supported by Shetland Vets, Shetland Livestock Marketing Group, NFU Shetland and Shetland Islands Council.