Latest News

SCOPS launches new podcast series The first two episodes of a new podcast series from the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group drop this week, offering yet another tool to the UK sheep industry on this essential topic. Kevin Harrison, a sheep farmer on the Gloucestershire-Somerset border and SCOPS Chair, features on the first episode. 23rd October 2023 Read More
‘Test, don’t guess’ approach to liver fluke essential in ‘funny old year’ of 2023 Livestock farmers would traditionally be expecting to go into peak liver fluke season at this time of year – but experts in the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainable (COWS) groups say 2023 has been a very strange year in terms of weather patterns. 20th October 2023 Read More
SCOPS urges sheep farmers to ‘safeguard their valuables’ At a busy time of year for sheep to move between holdings, the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is encouraging producers to think about sheep health as an extremely precious asset worthy of strong protection. Speaking on behalf of the group, independent sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings says: “If you were guarding a valuable treasure you would probably keep it in a fortress, with sturdy walls, strong gates, and vigilant guards. 20th September 2023 Read More
Updates to cross-industry Code of Practice provide clarity for sheep dippers, farmers and prescribers Speakers at a SCOPS-led webinar today (Thursday 7th September 2023) urged mobile sheep dippers, farmers and prescribers to make themselves aware of updates to the cross-industry Mobile Sheep Dipping Code of Practice – to ensure the ongoing effectiveness and safe use of organophosphate (OP) dip, particularly for the control of sheep scab. 7th September 2023 Read More
Important and useful updates to dipping code of practice to be shared in SCOPS webinar The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is pleased to be able to share some important updates to the cross-industry Code of Practice for Mobile Sheep Dipping, via a free-to-attend webinar on Thursday 7th September 2023. The main changes to the code are around how organophosphate (OP) can be supplied to mobile contractors for use on clients’ farms, and the role of farmers, contractors and prescribers to ensure this is done properly and legally. 18th August 2023 Read More
SCOPS welcomes funding announcement for nematode vaccine SCOPS welcomes the announcement that Moredun has accessed £6m to further research a vaccine against nematodes. Given SCOPS works to reduce the speed at which resistance develops to anthelmintic worm treatments, any options to widen the arsenel of tools to tackle worms is very welcome. 17th August 2023 Read More
Open invitation to farmers, contractors and prescribers to 'Safe and effective dipping' webinar Some important and useful updates have been made to the cross-industry Code of Practice for Mobile Sheep Dipping, which SCOPS is excited to be able to share with farmers, contractors and prescribers via a webinar on Thursday 7th September at 1pm. The webinar will discuss all elements of effective, safe dipping – and focus on the role of mobile sheep dippers in keeping on top of sheep scab in particular. 16th August 2023 Read More
Expert advice shared via SCOPS online question and answer session Two online question and answer sessions ran by SCOPS at lunchtime and early evening yesterday (Wednesday 19th July) attracted large numbers of vets, advisers and farmers and provided useful and practical advice on checking a worming treatment has been effective. 20th July 2023 Read More
SCOPS representatives invited to speak at VMD online symposium The Antiparasitic Resistance Research Symposium being ran by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) in August will feature two SCOPS Steering Group members - independent sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings and Moredun Principle Scientist Dave Bartley - as well as SCOPS supporters, Eric Morgan of Queen's University Belfast, who was instrumental in the creation of the SCOPS Nematodirus Forecast, and Moredun's Stewart Burgess, who SCOPS worked closely with on the For Flock's Sake sheep scab project. 19th July 2023 Read More
SCOPS Chair provides useful video guides to Wormer Treatment Check kits Sheep farmers in England accessing funding for the Annual Health and Welfare Review under the Defra Animal Helath & Welfare Pathway are to complete a Worming Treatment Check. This is two faecal egg counts (FEC), before and after lambs have been dosed, to check the effectiveness of the treatment. 18th July 2023 Read More
SCOPS webinar to provide real-world advice on checking if a worming treatment has been effective To continue to build on its role of providing practical advice for sheep farmers, vets, prescribers and advisers, the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is offering two free-to-attend webinars in mid-July. How to check if a worming treatment has been effective Wednesday 19th July 2023 12pm - Q&A for vets, RAMAs, SQPs and other advisers. 11th July 2023 Read More
SCOPS highlights APHA special offer on haemonchus testing SCOPS would like to draw attention of vets, advisers and farmers that APHA is currently offering a reduced price on staining of trichostrongyle-type eggs in faecal egg tests (FECs) to detect haemonchus sp. eggs. See the notification from APHA below. Reduced APHA price for Haemonchus eggs differential stain, TC0777. 4th July 2023 Read More

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