Sheep

Snapshot

• The sheep sector is overall considered a lower user of antibiotics, but is nonetheless committed to further improving stewardship.
• The sector is very diverse and dispersed, and with a very large number of producers, collecting data from on-farm medicine books is a challenge.
• This means that data collection is a major target for the sector, with the aim of reducing overall use by 10% by 2010. Use of highest priority CIAs is also a focus with the aim of halving use by 2020.
• ‘Hotspots’ of antibiotic usage have been identified, including prevention of joint ill or watery mouth in neonatal lambs for, as well as treatment for lameness and abortion. These are being tackled through promoting uptake of vaccination, and improvements to nutrition and hygiene at lambing time.
• An update on progress against specific targets was published in November 2018, with a summary of progress in sheep as follows:

Update July 2019

• The Sheep Health and Welfare Group (www.shawg.org.uk) has published new metrics to measure antibiotic use in UK sheep flocks, and is encouraging all those involved in working with sheep farmers to support their adoption on-farm. Access the guide to the new metrics here, and the accompanying responsible use of antibiotics in sheep guidelines here. The press release can be read here.
• A campaign to target Enzootic Abortion of Ewes (EAE) was launched in June 2019. With EAE responsible for more than a third of abortion cases in sheep every year, the campaign encourages farmers to vaccinate ewes in advance of tupping (mating) so that both unnecessary lamb losses and inappropriate use of antibiotics can be prevented. More about this campaign on the Ideas Hub or by visiting the short link bit.ly/EAEcampaign.
• For more detail on the sheep sector targets, please refer to the full Targets Task Force Report.
• For other case studies, inspiration and technical tools to help farmers and vets reduce, replace or refine antibiotic use, visit the Ideas Hub.

News Updates

Sheep sector launches new antibiotic use metrics to measure use on-farm

26 Jul 2019

New report shows progress towards achieving farm antibiotic targets

18 Nov 2018

RUMA confirms position on ‘antibiotic-free’ labelling

08 Oct 2018

Campaign aims to remind prescribers and farmers that #VaccinesWork

11 Sep 2018

Interim report gives picture of progress towards farming’s antibiotic targets

27 Jul 2018

UK farming triple winner at Public Health England’s Antibiotic Guardian awards

28 Jun 2018

Livestock farmers urged to use correct injection sites

13 Jun 2018

Food report from pressure groups misleads on antibiotics

19 Apr 2018

#ColostrumIsGold campaign aims to slash antibiotic use

29 Jan 2018

Industry task force announces new sector-specific targets

27 Oct 2017

Record low for sales of antibiotics for use in animals

27 Oct 2017

New Red Tractor antibiotic rules outlined

28 Jul 2017

Sheep sector examines antibiotic use

20 Oct 2016

Initiatives

Sheep sector launches new antibiotic use metrics to measure use on-farm

Jul 2019

Campaign aims to remind prescribers and farmers that #VaccinesWork

Sep 2018

#ColostrumIsGold campaign aims to slash antibiotic use

Jan 2018

Sheep Veterinary Society good practice guidelines

Aug 2017

Research programme at University of Nottingham

Jul 2017

Useful Organisations