Sheep Veterinary Society
Division of the British Veterinary Association

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Examination of Foot Lesions in Sheep

A useful way of examining sheep feet for FMD lesions is to use a handspray to gently spray water into the interdigital space of sheep. Mud can be removed by hand first but other than that the fingers should not be used, nor should feet be brushed. Workers examining flocks for lameness have reported that the shepherds noticed animals to be slightly ‘off it’ but anyone else would probably not have noticed anything wrong.

Movement Licences Update

Three licences are now available for the movement of livestock on welfare grounds eg. for bringing ewes home to lamb. These are:

Occupational licences – these allow very local movement, up to 0.5 km, enabling farmers to transfer livestock from one area of a farm to another using public roadways.

Local movement licences – allows movement of livestock across distances of up to 5 km by way of public roadways providing the total road journey route does not exceed 10km

Longer distance movement licence – allows a single movement of animals for a distance of greater than 5 km between points and 10 km by road.

A revised application form is now available for all three welfare movement schemes. Additional information for transporters is in preparation. Details of licence applications and conditions are available on the MAFF website or from local Animal Health Offices.

Licences will only be issued subject to veterinary certification that potential welfare concerns exist so veterinary surgeons should be aware that they are likely to be approached by clients. Guidelines for veterinary examinations are set out in the guidance notes accompanying the licence application form.

Farming help - for all in the rural community

The MAFF Rural Stress Action Plan Partners provide a range of services including advice, guidance and practical and emotional support for all in the farming community. This is available from a number of organisations including the Rural Stress Information Network, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, the Farm Crisis Network and the Samaritans. All this information is available on-line at www.farminghelp.org.uk

Stress in the rural community was discussed at a recent Sheep Veterinary Society meeting. A summary of that paper (which will appear in our forthcoming Proceedings) is available for download.