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SAC launches new website to protect sheep and goat health

SAC News Release Ref. No: 11N139
Published: 14 Nov 2011

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There has been a warm response from the industry for a new SAC online resource to help sheep and goat producers avoid introducing disease to their flocks and herds when purchasing livestock.

The new website lists the health status of flocks and herds currently registered with SAC’s Premium Sheep and Goat Health Scheme (PSGHS). More than 3000 producers are registered with the scheme, which is the UK’s only programme providing health status accreditation to sheep and goats.

The site provides a directory showing the health status of registered flocks and herds for Maedi Visna (MV), Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE), and Enzootic Abortion of Ewes (EAE). It also indicates which flocks and herds are members of the Scrapie Monitoring Scheme (SMS). The tool was developed through discussions with PSGHS members.

Welcoming the new resource, John Yates, Chief Executive of the Texel Sheep Society said: “Animal health and welfare is one of the single most important concerns in all livestock sectors. The sheep and beef industries have come to recognise the importance of cost effective preventative solutions for efficient red meat production. 

“Protection against MV threats can only be achieved by thorough monitoring through the Premium Sheep and Goat Health MV Scheme. The new web based search engine is a step in the right direction to making valuable information readily available to the industry.”

SAC Health Schemes Manager Ian Pritchard said: “Collectively, these diseases cause UK sheep and goat producers millions of pounds every year. The aim of our new website is to make it much easier for producers to track down stock of a given health status. It provides a valuable resource to help minimise the risk of ‘buying-in’ disease. An added advantage for producers is that they can search for herds and flocks by region, so it can help them find Health Scheme members close to home.

“The UK industry embraces animal health and welfare and this new website is of immense value to sheep and goat keepers.”

Health Scheme members can log in to their own page on the new website to view their current status and print health declarations. 

SAC urges producers who are not already registered with the Premium Sheep and Goat Health Scheme to consider signing up. For more information, please call 01463 226995 or email SGHS@sac.co.uk.

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Premium Sheep And Goat Health Schemes
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road
Inverness
IV2 4JZ
TelWork 01463 226995
Fax 01463 711103

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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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