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SAC urges sheep farmers to join Maedi Visna Accreditation Scheme

SAC News Release Ref. No: 10N96
Published: 17 Nov 2010

SAC vets are urging sheep farmers who sell breeding sheep to join the Maedi Visna (MV) Accreditation Scheme, as the disease becomes more common in non-accredited flocks.

This follows an SAC review printed in the professional journal Veterinary Record  which looked at the operation of the MV Accreditation Scheme over the last 10 years. While membership of the scheme cannot guarantee 100% protection from MV, the risk is minimised because of the biosecurity disciplines it introduces. Biosecurity backed up by regular blood testing for evidence of the disease and on-farm inspections means farmers can benefit from the confidence that MV accreditation bestows. 

The review looked at the breakdowns in the scheme, with the most likely source of infection being from non-accredited sheep on the same holding. While any breakdowns are to be regretted, the regular blood testing required by the scheme meant the breakdowns were discovered early and effective action could be taken to prevent the spread of the disease.  

In the review, SAC Veterinary Investigation Officer Catriona Ritchie says that eradication of MV is most successful if the infection is identified in flocks before the clinical signs of disease are seen.

“By the time sheep in un-tested flock do show signs of disease, it is likely that more than 50% of the flock will be infected. The economic losses suffered are therefore so great that often the only feasible option is to cull the entire flock. Catching breakdowns early makes eradication of the disease quicker and less expensive”.

Catriona said: “Some farmers may think because MV is not widely recognised that it is not worth joining the scheme but the incidence of MV is increasing.”

“So our message to sheep farmers is that you can buy from an MV-accredited flock confident in the knowledge you’re not buying into the disease. In the unlikely event that there is a breakdown, early testing provides the best opportunity for eradication. By joining the scheme, your flock will benefit from regular testing.”

MV can cause severe economic losses in infected sheep flocks through deaths from pneumonia and wasting and its knock-on effects such as poorer fertility, reduced milk production resulting in increased lamb losses and lower weight gains in lambs.  There are also losses from the premature culling of adult sheep because of mastitis, occasionally arthritis and paralysis. The owner of a commercial 1500 ewe flock, where MV was diagnosed last year, has estimated that MV is likely to be costing him £30-50,000 per annum.

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News Release Issued By

Ms Jane Smernicki
Head of Communications
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4331

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