SAC Veterinary Services has announced a new Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA)
Monitoring Scheme for all producers of breeding sheep who wish to achieve recognition
of their animals’ freedom from CLA infection.
This initiative follows the 2005 CLA Monitoring Scheme, which was piloted at the Kelso
and Lairg Ram Sales in Scotland. The 2006 Scheme should not only benefit vendors
selling breeding stock, but will also increase confidence amongst potential buyers who
are worried that CLA infection could be bought-in with purchased sheep.
The scheme is based upon a 12-week period of on-farm isolation, during which the
sheep destined for sale are separated from the rest of the flock. Twice during this
isolation period, all the sheep in the group are inspected by a veterinary surgeon for
physical evidence of CLA infection. During each of these veterinary visits a blood
sample will be taken from each animal.
These blood samples will then be tested for antibody to CLA infection, using a
technique developed at the Moredun Research Institute in conjunction with SAC. If
after these two tests, no evidence of disease is found within the group of sale sheep, a
certificate of "CLA Monitored" status will be issued to the owner. This certificate will
individually identify each of the sheep within the CLA Monitored group, and may be
displayed at sales or shown to potential private buyers. CLA Monitored sheep can be
bought in the knowledge that they carry a very low risk of introducing CLA infection to a
purchaser's flock.
Farmers wishing to obtain further details of the Scheme can contact their local SAC
Veterinary Services Centre, go to the SAC website at www.sac.ac.uk/consultancy/sghs,
or call the Sheep and Goat Health Schemes office on 01463 226 995.
