Sheep Veterinary Society
Division of the British Veterinary Association

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The majority of the hefted flocks will have been on the mountain/fell since the turn of the year. In most cases it is highly unlikely that there will have been any introduction of bought in stock since rams, possibly, last autumn. There will have been little contact from shepherds during this period and the chances of fell sheep coming into contact with bought in store or slaughter sheep and cattle are low.

Ewes currently on the fell are less at risk from coming into contact with FMD virus than if they move down to lower ground. It has been shown that local spread (by people and vehicles) is an issue as well as sheep to sheep, sheep to cattle or cattle to cattle spread. All these factors increase the risk on lower ground compared to the open fell. In bye pasture, for example, is frequently accessed through lower pasture and proximity to potentially infected animals is thereby increased.

Shepherds are urged to consider carefully their options, bearing in mind the risks of bringing down fell or hill ewes, infection occurring in bye and infected ewes then being turned back onto open fell/hill with lambs at foot. The consequences of this happening with the subsequent spread across the fell or hill outweigh the potential benefits to production and welfare of lambing in-bye.

Factors that increase risk are:

         Any sheep (store lambs, cull ewes, away-wintered sheep etc.) that have either been bought or brought home since the 1^st February

        Cattle on the holding, particularly if they have been brought in since 1^st February

         Amount of potential contact between the hefted ewes and in-bye stock, vehicles, equipment and people. The greater the contact, the higher the risk of infection

         Whether in-bye land is currently carrying stock or has recently been stocked. Such land should not be used if at all possible

         Gatherings that involve contact with other farmers, hefts, public roads or other risk factors in this list

         Hefts located adjacent to public roads or points of public access.

If ewes are left on the fell to lamb because you consider this to carry a lower risk of infection with FMD, the following practical advice may be helpful:

1.       Feeding – the only really practical option is to use Feed Blocks on the open hill. A high energy formulation (17/18% protein; 10.5ME) is required in late pregnancy. Allow 3-4 blocks (22 – 25kg per block) per 100 ewes per week and spread them around in areas where ewes would normally gather as would be normal practice. No introductory period is necessary and the sooner ewes are given supplementation the better. Assuming that ewes and lambs will stay out until marking, consumption will be 210 blocks per 1000 ewes over a 6 week period.

2.       Access – remember that the reason for taking this action is to try and isolate the hefted ewes from risk of infection. Do not go up any more times than is necessary to replenish block supplies. Use a dedicated vehicle, which is cleaned and disinfected before and after each visit and don’t forget that you should also be clean, wearing newly washed clothes and disinfected boots / waterproofs for each visit. Try to avoid contact with other stock, particularly cattle if at all possible – get someone else to feed them.

3.       Lambing – it is not going to be possible to provide any degree of supervision at lambing and trying is likely to be counter-productive both in terms of disease risk and disturbance to the lambing process. It is unlikely that you will be able to give the pre-lambing vaccination booster at the normal time. You should refer to the manufacturer or your Vet. for guidance on how to ensure best disease protection in these circumastances. Castration will have to be carried out by non-ring method at marking and tails left on.

4.       Biosecurity - It is vital that basic biosecurity requirements are both understood and implemented. Contact with people, vehicles and equipment are the main sources of risk. This includes clothing, crooks, medicinal equipment (vaccinators, drench guns etc.).

The dedicated shepherd and vehicle is the best line of defence. However, if the farmers themselves are to go up to sheep, they must follow full “Cleaning & Disinfection” procedures given above, preferably with a 24-48 hour break from any other shepherding/ stock related duties (though it is appreciated that this may be difficult in practice!).

Power-hosing must only be used in conjunction with disinfectant otherwise it only acts as a good distributor of virus aerosols – in most cases spraying with disinfectant is adequate providing it is thorough. We emphasise that clean, separate sets of waterproof (therefore disinfectable) clothing and boots and use of vehicle dedicated to heft visits are essential.

5.      Dogs are a potential problem. Preferably they should not be taken up onto the hill but, if they are, a non-contact time (at least 48 hours) with ground carrying stock or any other farm stock should be a minimum requirement.