MV-ACCREDITED sheep breeders are to keep that status, despite the current lockdown preventing scheduled blood testing of their flocks.

Last week, the organisers of the Premium Sheep and Goat Health Scheme, SRUC, were on the receiving end of some sharp criticism after announcing that breeders would be given only a month's grace after a missed test before their MV accreditation would be suspended. With pedigree sales in the not-too-distant future, several breed societies described the SRUC's stance as 'ridiculous'.

This week, after more talks on how best to deal with the unprecedented set of circumstances facing the sector, the head of SRUC Veterinary Services, George Caldow, offered a major concession, under which accredited breeders can stay accredited until testing can resume.

“We understand the vital importance that flock health status has for the sales later this year, and that is both for our members selling stock, but also for clients who look to buy great genetics in healthy animals from flocks that are accredited free of disease," said Mr Caldow. "We have very effective health schemes that have allowed members to manage the risk of maedi visna and EAE to a very high degree. We will ensure that this continues.

"We have consulted with our PSGHS Advisory board, made up of representatives from breed societies, National Sheep Association, British Goat Society and members of the veterinary profession. The following course of action has been agreed by the board. To manage the gap in testing, we will maintain flock accreditation status and issue certificates based on a signed declaration from the flock keeper that the rules of the programme are and will be followed. There will be no requirement to blood sample and test animals until such time as the restrictions to sampling at the farm are removed as a consequence of a change in the national Covid 19 infection control strategy," confirmed Mr Caldow.

“When routine testing is resumed, members whose tests have been delayed will be given a three-month period in which to have blood sampling and testing completed.  Their certification status will be maintained during this period and we will maintain clear communication with our members on the changing requirements."

Beltex Sheep Society chairman Jim Kennedy welcomed the move: “I’m very relieved that SRUC has reviewed the situation and the new guidelines look very workable which is all we could ask for.”

Similarly, pedigree breeder Graham Burke, who was due to be renewing his MV status via testing this month, commented: “I’m delighted that they have come to a common sense and practical solution that will please and relieve a lot of producers of all breeds.”

The PSGHS Advisory Board pointed out that in the short term, because of the scheme’s success in managing the risk of maedi visna, there was negligible added risk created by the alterations that were being made in the scheme. However, it advised vendors and purchasers of breeding sheep and the auctioneers and marts who facilitate sales to be 'particularly mindful' of the need to manage biosecurity at this time.

“I would like to thank the members of our Advisory Board and those from the wider industry who have provided helpful comment," added Mr Caldow. "This is a difficult time for us all, but we cannot lose sight of the need to consult and to develop solutions to the problems that are arising as effort is made to safeguard the nation’s health.”

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