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SAC News Release Number 03N68
Date: 17 October 2003
www.sac.ac.uk
A new initiative which aims to find a way of eradicating sheep
scab from the
islands of Barra, Benbecula, and North and South Uist, gets underway
later this
month. The sheep scab eradication initiative will see SAC working
in partnership
with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to raise awareness of the problems
associated
with the disease and to help islanders plan a control and eradication
programme.
Local SAC Adviser, Wilson McKinlay explains, “The objective
of the initiative is to
urge the islanders to develop a sheep scab eradication group which
will co- ordinate an overall and integrated approach to treatment
and control. A co- ordinated programme of sheep dipping would
see the group collaborating with
local townships to systematically implement sheep dipping programmes.
With
mobile dipping facilities now available some of the difficulties
in implementing a
systematic dipping programme can be overcome.
“As livestock movement on and off the islands from the
mainland can be controlled
and monitored, maintaining a sheep scab free status, once the
disease has been
eradicated, is an achievable goal”.
“Sheep scab CAN be eradicated from these islands, “
says SAC sheep health
expert Brian Hosie, who will travel to the islands to speak at
three meetings about
the technical issues of scab treatment and eradication.
Brian explains, “With the disease affecting the condition
of ewes and the growth
rates of feeding lambs, causing damage to wool and reducing the
quality of
sheepskins it results in significant financial losses to the Scottish
sheep industry.
SAC is working with all stakeholders in the industry in a bid
to co-ordinate effective
action to control sheep scab, one of the most contagious diseases
of sheep in
Britain today.”
To set the initiative in motion Brian Hosie will travel to the
islands to speak at three
meetings about the technical issues of scab treatment and eradication.
Representatives of the Local council and SEPA will also be present
to talk about
legislation relating to the disposal of sheep dip.
The meetings, all of which start at 8.00pm, will take place at
the following venues:
- Carinish Hall, North Uist, on Tuesday 28 October,
- Castlebay School, Barra, on Tuesday 29 October
- Lochboisdale Community Hall, South Uist, on Thursday 30 October
Crofters, sheep and the environment all likely to benefit when
sheep scab is
eliminated.
- For crofters, financial losses resulting from the disease will
be eliminated, clean
healthy sheep will raise better prices at market and there will
be savings on labour
required if dipping is no longer needed.
- For the animals, the absence of disease will improve welfare
standards.
- For the environment, there will also be advantages. No more
dipping means no
sheep dip to dispose of and no risk of causing pollution to the
land and waterways.
With most of the islands of Barra, Benbecula and the Uists covered
by schemes
such as SSSI, SAC, RAMSAR and ESA schemes (*see notes for editors),
measures which reduce risk to their unique ecosystems and historic
sites are to be
welcomed.
This initiative is linked to the Scottish Sheep Scab Campaign
campaign for co- ordinated treatment for scab and increased awareness
launched in September by
NFU Scotland.
SAC receives funding for this work from SEERAD (Scottish Executive
Environment and Rural Affairs Department)
*Notes for editors:
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) represent our best
sites for wildlife and
geology. Well over half, by area, are internationally important
and many play an
important part in local culture and economies or provide wonderful
opportunities
for people to enjoy wildlife and landscape. The national wildlife
and geological
features of SSSIs are irreplaceable parts of our national heritage.
Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Schemes
The Natura 2000 network includes two types of area. The designation
Special
Area of Conservation (SAC) is given where the area supports rare,
endangered or
vulnerable habitats of plants or animals (other than birds). Where
areas support
significant numbers of wild birds and their habitats, they may
become Special
Protection Areas (SPA). In some situations, very important areas
on land or at sea
may become both SAC and SPA. Large sections of the Machairs of
Barra,
Benbecula, the Uists
and Vatersay are included in this category.
Ramsar
The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is
an
intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national
action and
international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of
wetlands and their
resources. There are presently 138 Contracting Parties to the
Convention, with
1308 wetland sites, totalling 110 million hectares, designated
for inclusion in the
Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.
ESA
The Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme was introduced in 1987
to offer
incentives to encourage farmers to adopt agricultural practices
which would
safeguard and enhance parts of the country of particularly high
landscape, wildlife
or historic value. There are now 8 ESAs in Scotland and 90% of
eligible crofters
in Barra, Benbecula and the Uists have joined the ESA scheme..
Shetland Sheep Scab Order (SSSO)
Sheep scab was eradicated from Shetland some years ago and its
unique status
in Britain is protected by the SSSO. The Order ensures the treatment
of al sheep
coming on to the islands from the rest of the UK. The experience
of Shetland is an
example for all island communities.
Further information on the meetings in Barra and the Uists is
available from: SAC Advisory Office, Balivanich, Isle of Benbecula
HS7 5LA.
Tel: 01870 602336, Fax: 01870 602086, AOBalivanich@ed.sac.ac.uk
Janette Elder Corporate Information Officer SAC
Tel: 0131 535 4185
Fax: 0131 535 4332
http://www.sac.ac.uk
Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk |
