Latest News

SCOPS welcomes new accreditation option for sheep dipping SCOPS is pleased to learn there is now an additional option for farmers to get accredited in the safe use and disposal of sheep dip. It is a legal requirement for farmers to have a licence when dipping, so it is positive to have another option for getting the correct accreditation. 17th June 2022 Read More
Statement from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) June 2022 SCOPS highlights this message from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). "OP dip is only authorised for use as a plunge dip. This means OP dip should not be used via any other administration method (e.g. via a shower, jetter or sprayer). The VMD's Enforcement Team will take action in response to any reported cases of unauthorised administration, or the sale or promotion of OP dip for use via an unauthorised administration method. 1st June 2022 Read More
SCOPS welcomes £220k scab control project in Northern Ireland SCOPS is delighted a £220,000 sheep scab control programme has been given the green light in Northern Ireland - a postive step towards an increased scab focus across all four UK nations. SCOPS is a partner in the RDPE-funded 'For Flock's Sake' inititiave in England, on which this NI project is based, meaning a common approach and the ability to share learnings. 26th May 2022 Read More
SCOPS issues nematodirus warning to later lambing flocks and cooler areas While many 2022-born lambs have developed immunity to nematodirus, there is still a ‘sting in the tail’ for younger lambs and in parts of the country where temperatures have been slow to increase this spring. Speaking on behalf of the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group, Davinia Hinde of Bainbridge Vets, North Yorkshire, says: “Nematodirus is always difficult to predict and this year is no different, with the risk of a real sting in the tail for some producers. 17th May 2022 Read More
Free forecasting service for sheep farmers helps protect health of 2022-born lambs The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is continuing to offer its Nematodirus Forecast at no charge, providing a vital service for sheep farmers, vets and advisers to protect the health of lambs born this spring. Nematodirus is one of the first parasitic challenges lambs face when they begin to rely more on grazed grass and less on their mothers’ milk, meaning the disease can often strike before they have any immunity. 20th April 2022 Read More
SCOPS Nematodirus Forecast running again after technical glitch After a brief period of technical problems with weather data, which have now been resolved, the SCOPS Nematodirus Forecast is available again, at no charge to users. This is just in time, as we are entering a high risk period for nematodirus with many orange, red and even black dots on the map. 23rd March 2022 Read More
Mild weather prompts nematodirus warning for sheep farmers The rise in temperatures in recent days means an increased risk to lambs from hatching nematodirus, says the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group. Speaking on behalf of the group, sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings says: “Nematodirosis can strike very quickly so you can’t afford to have a ‘wait and see’ policy. 21st March 2022 Read More
SCOPS welcomes agricultural journalists to sheep scab press briefing Today (Tuesday 22nd February 2022), the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group welcomed agricultural journalists and other guests to a one-hour press briefing about sheep scab control in the four UK nations. Stewart Burgess of Moredun spoke about the RDPE-funded ‘For Flock’s Sake’ project running with great success in three parts of England. 22nd February 2022 Read More
Up close and personal with liver fluke SCOPS is very fortunate to have been sent a fantastic short video of the liver fluke lifecycle, created by parasitologist Dr Clive Bennett (University of Southampton) and filmmaker and Emmy award winner Dr David Barlow. It is the culmination of around 10 years of work. 1st February 2022 Read More
SCOPS Nematodirus Forecast to go live on 1st February Mild conditions experienced in parts of the UK at the New Year, coupled with a predicted warm end to January, means the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is launching its Nematodirus Forecast earlier this season. As well as using the forecast, the group also advises sheep farmers to monitor for signs of diarrhoea and ill thrift in lambs – and not to exclude nematodirus as a cause of disease, even if your regional hatching risk is not yet high. 31st January 2022 Read More
SCOPS urges UK sheep farmers to take part in important survey on wormer resistance Wormer resistance is a growing problem on sheep farms in the UK, as in other countries. Recent data shows that on most farms, at least one and more usually two or three wormer groups are not having the expected impact on roundworms. To help plan for the future, a new survey is being conducted by Queen's University Belfast and the Moredun Research Institute to gather information on what farmers are doing to control worms, what they think of wormer resistance and how to deal with it. 20th December 2021 Read More
Warning issued over 'cowboy' sheep dipping contractors - Farmers Weekly article SCOPS draws attention to a useful article published in Farmers Weekly in early December. The article outlines the importance of using contractors who follow industry best practice guidelines, avoiding possible malpractices such as applying organophospate (OP) dip through jetters and showers, and/or illegally disposing of spent dip. 10th December 2021 Read More

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