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Farmers advised to quarantine new stock to avoid importing disease

Sheep farmers across Wales are being urged to follow quarantine advice when buying in new rams or replacement breeding stock.

Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales is advising farmers about the potential diseases that can be spread to their flocks from bought-in livestock.

Lynfa Davies, HCC’s Technical Development Executive, said: “It is recommended that new animals brought onto the farm should be quarantined as even the cleanest, best looking animals could be carrying diseases that may not be apparent at the time of purchase.

“It’s advisable that new stock be kept separate from the rest of the flock for 21 days, which can help to stop diseases such as sheep scab, resistant worms, liver fluke and contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) from spreading to other livestock, which could have a major financial impact on a farm business.”

When buying new livestock, farmers are being encouraged to speak to the seller about their vaccination and wormer programmes.

During the quarantine period, new stock should be treated to prevent resistant worms and fluke coming onto the farm and be vigilant for signs of other diseases such as of orf and caseous lymphadenitis (CLA).

Farmers can also seek advice from their vet about which products to use and should follow the SCOPS guidelines which can be found at www.scops.org.uk

More information about the quarantine of new on-farm arrivals and the latest recommendations for disease control can be found on the HCC website, www.hccmpw.org.uk