Report: Animal disease control measures can build agency and empower the island crofters
Island-wide animal disease control is being actively discussed on Lewis and Harris, leading to challenges and solutions being identified. Plans to promote and actively move towards positive animal disease control is ongoing. The crofting townships have come together to mobilise the island to dip thousands of sheep against sheep scab. This positive collaboration has led to further action to consider other animal disease control initiatives, such as sourcing faecal egg counting machines to undertake tests on the island. The benefits of being on an island could help with animal disease control if this could be capitalised upon. The physical barrier of the water/sea could become a positive for the crofters and discussions with other livestock keepers and stakeholders on Shetland and Orkney have helped further their development of solutions. Although it is recognised that other islands have unique contexts, initial discussions have been welcomed. Whether the ferry companies can assist, has yet to be made clear. The crofters who joined our discussions believe control could be moved into their hands, and acquiring their own on-island dipping facility may be part of the solution.
Executive Summary
- Although the concept ‘to keep the flocks safe’ is generally well understood, accepted and adopted, a disconnect was identified with the term ’biosecurity’
- The idea that disease control should be at a community level is accepted; in some areas, how it could be achieved is being actively discussed
- The return of overwintering sheep from mainland areas needs careful management to facilitate their safe integration back into home flocks by controlling potential disease risks
- The introduction of tups is often difficult to implement whilst maintaining good disease control. Bespoke or ‘best-fit’ measures might be achievable
- Strict quarantine control for the whole island could allow the marketing of livestock as ‘disease-free stock’, which may generate a premium payment as seen in Shetland
- The primary use of fences, as reported by crofters, is stock management rather than disease control. Any advantages for disease control are seen as ‘bonus’
- The island market is unfairly impacted by global influences
- Paperwork involved in official subletting has been identified as a barrier to carrying out practical croft maintenance, including disease control
- A social stigma around bringing disease to the island prevents open discussion around sheep scab control
- Roundworm control was mired in confusion; more training and a clearer demonstration of the benefits were identified as areas helpful to be covered in future
- Newcomers to crofting on the island appreciate peer-to-peer knowledge exchanges and mentoring by experienced crofters
- The mindset about animal disease control has changed and agency has grown, empowerment is a legacy to be built upon
- Collaborative working has begun to be seen; it would be welcomed if it became ‘the norm’ again
- Crofting’s future is mixed, but people describe it as a ‘good’ way of life and an important heritage to be passed to new generations