“Organic Farmers will have to get real” says Professor McKellar

Land-Care comments on an article by Andrew Arbuckle, Farming Editor, The Courier 18th December 2002

These were the words spoken by Professor Quintin McKellar, director of the Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh in relation to the future management of sheep scab, according to a report by Andrew Arbuckle in the Courier of 18th December 2002. Although sheep scab was virtually eradicated in this country half a century ago it is now completely endemic throughout the UK, with more than 10% of flocks in the country displaying clinical signs of this parasitic disease.

Sheep scab got out of control following the banning of organo-phosphates (OP) in sheep dip, although it is the most effective form of prevention and treatment. OP’s were banned on account of neurological disease that affected certain people after their use. According to Professor McKellar the licensing of the use of OP’s and the improved safety measures now incorporated, should enable OP’s to control sheep scab.

However, he believed that in order to get overall control of the disease a change in attitude will be needed by those keeping sheep on an organic farming system. Under the present rules surrounding organic status on a sheep farm there can be no preventative treatment. The organic farming rules state that only when there are visible signs of infection can treatment be started. The idea is to use OP sheep dip to stop the disease from developing in the first place. By preventing prophylactic management organic farmers were doing nothing to either control the problem or for the welfare of the sheep. Hence his advice to organic sheep farmers - get real!

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Monday 23 December

“Organic Farmers will have to get real” says Professor McKellar

Land-Care comments on an article by Andrew Arbuckle, Farming Editor, The Courier 18th December 2002

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