Who is SCOPS?

The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) is a voluntary, industry-led group that works in the interest of the UK sheep industry. It recognises that, left unchecked, resistance to parasiticides will become one of the biggest challenges to the future health and profitability of the sector.

The SCOPS Steering Group was formed to develop sustainable, responsible and practical strategies for parasite control in sheep which ensure the responsible use of parasiticides in conjunction with other means of control. It consists of individuals and organisations with an active interest in the sustainable control of parasites and includes industry bodies, UK levy bodies, sheep farmers, vets, animal health advisers, parasitologists, researchers and others. The group facilitates and oversees the delivery of these recommendations to the industry and ensures that new research and development is incorporated to refine and improve advice to the sheep industry.

Having started out with a focus on roundworms, in more recent years SCOPS has increase the advice it provides for control of all common parasites, including liver fluke and the appropriate use of flukicides, and external parasites including sheep scab, lice, blowflies and ticks.