Written question WQ87090

Since April 2022, the Welsh Government has had fully funded year-round sheep scab skin scrape testing through the Carmarthen Veterinary Investigation Centre.

Furthermore, the Welsh Government has sponsored two proof-of-concept pilots which implemented new and innovative ways to control sheep scab. These pilots facilitated local disease control groups to take ownership of outbreaks and empowered keepers to work collectively to stamp out the disease in the area.

In line with our Animal Health and Welfare Framework Plan commitment, we are developing a collectively agreed approach to controlling sheep scab. An industry-led all-Wales Sheep Eradication Programme will launch in Spring 2023. The 3-year contract, worth £4.5 million will be led by Coleg Sir Gar, and aims to:

• Significantly reduce Sheep Scab outbreaks on Welsh farms.

• Develop an accurate understanding of the incidence and prevalence of sheep scab in Wales, including the patterns of its occurrence and spread

• Promote accurate and timely diagnosis of the disease when it occurs, and treat it appropriately in a successful, environmentally sustainable, and safe way.

• Increase awareness within the sheep industry in Wales of the importance of biosecurity and safe sourcing of sheep, to control sheep scab, within the context of other infectious diseases.

• Significantly improve biosecurity within the sheep sector in Wales by designing, delivering, and measuring actions to stop the spread of sheep scab on and off farms, at markets and other points of sheep collection, through short and long-range transport and at common grazing.

Officials are working closely with Coleg Sir Gar, their partners and the wider industry to ensure the success of the programme.