Sheep industry must eradicate tapeworm

Eliminating tapeworms in dogs would reduce losses to the sheep industry caused by lower weight gains in live animals and partial/full rejection of carcases and offal in abattoirs.

Sheep are exposed to tapeworm eggs when dogs with adult tapeworms living in their intestines foul grazing land.

Gavin Morris, group technical manager for Dunbia, says farmers may spot heavy infestations because sheep will show signs of disease and lose body condition - but it is more common for the first indication to be unexpected financial loss at the abattoir.