Report: Exploring livestock disease control for Lewis and Harris
Executive Summary
In February (2024) a group of six stakeholders from Lewis and Harris and a retired vet currently involved with the National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS), were invited to join a working group to visit Shetland and view the current Shetland Animal Health Scheme (SAHS). The main objective of the visit was to see the scheme in situ and explore possibilities of implementing a process to control sheep scab and other significant diseases in Lewis and Harris.
Following a tour of the facilities and in-depth discussions with relevant SAHS personnel and local farmers, the stakeholders were invited to deliberate on the experience and share their thoughts in a facilitated focus group, the key outcomes of which are highlighted in the key message section.
• Effective biosecurity measures are essential to reduce the risk of disease
incursion and transmission in livestock on Lewis and Harris.
• There is a core group that are keen to improve biosecurity on Lewis and Harris.
• Coordination and buy-in from the local council and those involved in importing
and keeping livestock is crucial for effective disease control.
• Improved animal health can increase pride in island produce and lead to higher
premiums in the marketplace.
• While the three points of entry to Lewis and Harris may be a challenge to
controlling disease incursions via animal movements, effective disease control at
these sites is achievable.
• Maintaining and building further links with Shetland is important.
• Bringing young enthusiastic people on board will aid the process going forward