Helping sheep farmers to maximise productivity by sustainably controlling parasites

The SCOPS Principles

1. Always make sure any treatment you give is fully effective.

2. Try to reduce your reliance on anthelmintics using management options and monitoring where possible.

Using FECs / video / video
Treatment of adult sheep
Grazing options
Planning ahead
Nutritional effects
Breeding sheep

3. Avoid bringing in resistant worms and/or other parasites by following a robust quarantine routine.

4. Minimise the selection for worms that are resistant to anthelmintics when you treat sheep.

Options for dose and move / video
Using products with persistent action
Dilution effects
Using the group 4 and 5 products mid/late season

SCOPS for UK sheep farmers

SCOPS is an industry led group that works in the interest of the UK sheep industry. It recognises that, left unchecked, anthelmintic resistance is one of the biggest challenges to the future health and profitability of the sector.

The SCOPS group was formed to develop sustainable strategies for parasite control in sheep, facilitate and oversee the delivery of these recommendations to the industry and ensure that new research and development is incorporated to refine and improve advice given to the sheep industry.

SCOPS includes representatives from a wide range of industry organisations – logos and links are below. The equivalent organisation for cattle is the Control Of Worms Sustainably (COWS).

News

Fluke warning for cattle and sheep farmers as range of treatment options reduces A dry, cool spring across most of the UK, followed by some hot, dry spells over the summer, means the liver fluke risk is generally going to be low this autumn and winter.... 11^th October 2021 Read More

SCOPS messages for summer/autumn

Sheep scab

If you're farming in England, Wales or Scotland, please complete the Nottingham University scab survey. Click here for more
Worried you’ve got scab? Remember there is a new and very useful blood ELISA test. Learn more here
Got scab and need to treat? Follow best practice information on dipping (for prescribers, farmers and contractors) and best practice information for using injectables

Fluke

While the fluke risk is low for most farms this autumn, there are still high-risk situations and reduced treatment options due to the removal of Trodax from the market. Click here for more

Quarantine

If you're bringing sheep onto your farm this autumn, either new stock or animals returning from grazing away, please take advice on a quarantine programme that considers worms, fluke and scab. Check your chosen vet or adviser is using the updated SCOPS quarantine resources

Is your wormer working?

Resistance to wormers is increasing across sheep farms in the UK.

Don’t wait until you can see the wormer hasn’t worked and lamb growth rates have suffered. A simple test using a Faecal Egg Count after* drenching will give you early warning that worms are surviving treatment. Ask your vet or adviser for support, or click here for more information.

* interval varies according to the product used.

SCOPS Steering Group Members