Veterinary Services

• Parasitic gastroenteritis and suspected anthelmintic resistance in sheep
• Streptococcus suis infections in pigs.
• Mycoplasmosis in turkeys and pheasants
• Pneumonia in calves at grass
• Rumen flukes found on two occasions in cattle
• Cow deaths due to babesiosis

Disease alerts

The following featured in the SAC VS report for October 2007. Given the similar climatic conditions this summer, these could also be important this year.

• Incidence of fasciolosis in cattle and sheep remains high

• Haemonchosis in flocks in the south-west of Scotland

• Wasting and scour in pigs due to mixed enteric infections

• Routine screening of sheep for trace elements and parasites as part of health and welfare planning

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

In Scotland, the weather in July was warm, wet and slightly dull. At 14 degrees Celsius, the mean temperature was 1.4 degrees above the thirty-year historical average. Total rainfall, at 108.9 mm, was 114 percent of the same average. However total hours of sunshine represented only 95 percent of the historical average.  A report, commissioned by the Scottish Government and produced by the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC), stated that pig welfare standards in Scotland are the highest in Europe. The report found that the cost of pig production in the UK is 12 percent higher than the European average. The Scottish Government also stated that Scotland’s views must be taken into account by the European Commission. This was in response to the EU-wide consultation exercise on the Less favoured Area Support scheme (LFAs). Eighty-five percent of all agricultural land in Scotland falls under the LFA category.