PEDIGREE SHEEP breeders are hoping for an outbreak of common sense in the administration of the Premium Sheep and Goat Health Schemes, as the clampdown on vet visits precludes testing and threatens hard-won disease-free accreditation – at a possible cost to farm businesses of tens of thousands of pounds.

At the centre of this storm is the SRUC, which has stated that, in cases where a flock was due to have its three-yearly test for Maedi Visna, but cannot now do so, its MV-free status will be suspended one month after the intended renewal date, and would not be reinstated until on-site testing can be resumed.

Breed societies have described this edict as ‘ridiculous’ and called for a much longer grace period between an unavoidably missed test and the loss of MV status – not least because the major breed sales of the summer could be severely disrupted by top breeders being excluded from the trade.

Beltex breeder, Graham Burke, was due to have his three-yearly test done this April, and as such now falls into the administrative hole that will see his flock, on paper, lose its MV-free status in May.

“In our case, this could mean tens of thousands of pounds of difference in a sheep’s value,” said Mr Burke. “For others, it could be hundreds of thousands. Something will need to change.

“The authorities are offering people six months of grace on their car MOTs, and that can be a matter of life and death – surely for MV-accreditation, a similar length of time would be common sense? I am not panicking, but I do hope that we get clarity soon.”

Beltex Sheep Society chairman, Jim Kennedy, added: “Considering there are currently no Farm Assurance inspections or inspections from the department, and vets are being asked not to carry out routine tests, I think it is ridiculous for SRUC to even suggestion a suspension and they need to take a look at themselves.

“Until such time as there has been a movement of MV-accredited sheep from one flock to another, there should be no need to re-test in the meantime.

“It just seems SRUC wants to put obstacles in front of us rather than try to help us during these uncertain times and they need to be brought to task over it.”

Texel Sheep Society chief executive, John Yates, said the suspension of a flock’s MV-accredited status after a one month grace period was a ‘particularly harsh’ rule in a situation which is not of the flock owner’s making and could significantly impact on sheep values later in the year.

“The society wrote to SRUC last week to query the change and to suggest that a three-month extension to a flock’s status would be more appropriate, bearing in mind the current circumstances,” said Mr Yates.

SRUC vet manager, David Wilson, said: “We recognise that temporarily losing status is difficult for PSGHS members but these are unprecedented times.

“We are consulting with Government agencies, other veterinary organisations and other European MV schemes to investigate the possibility of an extension and we are organising a meeting for the PSGHS Advisory Board to keep them updated.

“We are working hard to agree a solution and will issue updated guidance as soon as possible. As things currently stand, status will be restored immediately when the delayed test is performed.”

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