Latest News

SCOPS updates widely-used tool for sheep producers The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is pleased to release the newest version of its popular ‘Know Your Anthelmintics Groups’ guide, which is a free and widely-used resource in the sheep sector. Kevin Harrison, Gloucestershire sheep farmer and SCOPS Chair, says: “I can’t count the times I’ve used the SCOPS Know Your Anthelmintics guide when making decisions about my flock, to remind myself which group a wormer belongs to or check other details. 5th March 2024 Read More
SCOPS highlights APHA warning about ticks SCOPS would like to draw sheep farmers' attention to the warning from the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) about increased early season tick activity. Because ticks were detected on livestock throughout the winter months and, due to the warmer weather through some of February, there may be increased tick activity earlier than expected this year. 1st March 2024 Read More
Free online SCOPS forecast will help producers deal with huge variation in disease risk this spring Following a very wet winter and one of the warmest February on record, experts in the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group are predicting the threat to lambs from nematodirus will be extremely variable across the UK in 2024. Using the SCOPS Nematodirus Forecast at www. 27th February 2024 Read More
SCOPS urges producers to carefully consider which ewes to worm this lambing time Sustained wet weather has put ewes under pressure this winter, meaning loss of body condition score (BCS) will be a valuable guide when deciding which ewes to worm around lambing. That is the message from experts within the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group, which is continuing to urge producers to move away from blanket worming of ewes and towards a more targeted approach. 23rd February 2024 Read More
Warning for sheep and cattle producers not to get caught out by ‘later than normal’ liver fluke challenge The strange weather patterns of 2023 have had a significant impact on the level and timing of the risk of liver fluke disease across the UK, says experts within the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainable (COWS) groups. 10th January 2024 Read More
SCOPS goes from strength to strength in 2023 From success with control of sheep scab to the creation of a new podcast series, the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is delighted with what has been achieved in 2023 – and looks forward to more in 2024. Kevin Harrison, Gloucestershire sheep farmer and SCOPS Chair, says: “SCOPS has always been a very active group, achieving a huge amount with few resources, but it feels like 2023 has been even busier and impactful than previous years. 11th December 2023 Read More
SCOPS launches new podcast series The first two episodes of a new podcast series from the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group drop this week, offering yet another tool to the UK sheep industry on this essential topic. Kevin Harrison, a sheep farmer on the Gloucestershire-Somerset border and SCOPS Chair, features on the first episode. 23rd October 2023 Read More
‘Test, don’t guess’ approach to liver fluke essential in ‘funny old year’ of 2023 Livestock farmers would traditionally be expecting to go into peak liver fluke season at this time of year – but experts in the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainable (COWS) groups say 2023 has been a very strange year in terms of weather patterns. 20th October 2023 Read More
SCOPS urges sheep farmers to ‘safeguard their valuables’ At a busy time of year for sheep to move between holdings, the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is encouraging producers to think about sheep health as an extremely precious asset worthy of strong protection. Speaking on behalf of the group, independent sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings says: “If you were guarding a valuable treasure you would probably keep it in a fortress, with sturdy walls, strong gates, and vigilant guards. 20th September 2023 Read More
Updates to cross-industry Code of Practice provide clarity for sheep dippers, farmers and prescribers Speakers at a SCOPS-led webinar today (Thursday 7th September 2023) urged mobile sheep dippers, farmers and prescribers to make themselves aware of updates to the cross-industry Mobile Sheep Dipping Code of Practice – to ensure the ongoing effectiveness and safe use of organophosphate (OP) dip, particularly for the control of sheep scab. 7th September 2023 Read More
SCOPS and COWS discuss antiparasiticides and the environment Today (Tuesday 5th September 2023), representatives from the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Worms Sustainably (COWS) groups met to talk about increasing awareness of the impact the use of antiparasiticides in cattle and sheep can have on the wider environment. 5th September 2023 Read More
Important and useful updates to dipping code of practice to be shared in SCOPS webinar The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is pleased to be able to share some important updates to the cross-industry Code of Practice for Mobile Sheep Dipping, via a free-to-attend webinar on Thursday 7th September 2023. The main changes to the code are around how organophosphate (OP) can be supplied to mobile contractors for use on clients’ farms, and the role of farmers, contractors and prescribers to ensure this is done properly and legally. 18th August 2023 Read More

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