Latest News

SCOPS updates Know Your Anthelmintics guide The SCOPS 'Know Your Anthelmintics' guide is a widely-consulted document that lists all the anthelmintic products available in the UK to treat internal and external parasites. It's easy-to-follow format helps users understand which groups products belong it, while also providing general advice on administrating them. 17th January 2023 Read More
SCOPS welcomes All-Wales Sheep Scab Eradication Programme After a great deal of anticipation, SCOPS is delighted an All-Wales Sheep Scab Eradication Programme has now been announced. SCOPS is committed to helping join up projects throughout the UK nations, to ensure approaches and outcomes are shared.   The Royal Veterinary College press release about the Welsh project is replicated here. 20th December 2022 Read More
Testing this winter is the key to liver fluke control, say industry experts The level of liver fluke is forecast to be relatively low for much of the UK, but the risk to grazing livestock on individual farms is becoming less predictable. That is the warning from expets in the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainably (COWS) groups, who say diagnostic testing is critical to make sure farmers don’t treat too soon, or unnecessarily, or get caught out and miss a vital treatment. 5th December 2022 Read More
SCOPS urges sheep farmers to keep monitoring worm burdens in lambs The dry summer and mild, wet autumn of 2022 has resulted in a high worm challenge on many farms, with reports from around the UK of lambs suffering from the effects of high worm burdens. From poor growth rates through to deaths, the losses are significant – but according to the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group, are preventable with monitoring. 25th November 2022 Read More
SCOPS contributes to Animal Health Surveillance podcast Representing the SCOPS Steering Group, sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings has been featured on the latest episode of the Animal Health Surveillance podcast. Lesley spoke to Mary-Ellen Tivey, a PhD student in the Royal Veterinary College's department of veterinary epidemiology, economics and public health, about how and why the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep group came about and the role it performs for the UK sheep sector. 8th November 2022 Read More
SCOPS contributes to liver fluke podcast SCOPS recommends this excellent AHDB podcast about managing and controlling liver fluke. It features Dr Philip Skuce from Moredun, who sits on the SCOPS Steering Group and specialises in liver fluke, speaking to Dr Bethan John, Animal Health & Welfare Scientist. 17th October 2022 Read More
SCOPS recommends new liver fluke guide Three of the UK levy bodies – AHDB, HCC and QMS – have come together to produce a practical guide to liver fluke for beef and sheep farmers. SCOPS supports the publication, which amplifies the SCOPS message that, while flukicides remain a vital component of liver fluke control, it is important they are only used when necessary, with producers choosing the right product, using it at the right time and administering it effectively. 27th September 2022 Read More
Be alert to haemonchus risk - and utilise free testing where appropriate SCOPS is warning producers to be alert to ewes and lambs being hit by the Haemonchus contortus worm – a tropical/sub-tropical worm that is increasingly prevalent in the UK as the climate warms. APHA has confirmed sudden deaths due to haemonchosis in adult ewes from two flocks in Devon. 1st August 2022 Read More
Sheep scab and wormer treatment checks covered in press briefing for agricultural journalists Today (Tuesday 21st June 2022), the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group welcomed agricultural journalists to a press briefing. The one-hour session included updates on sheep scab and wormer treatment checks. Lesley Stubbings, independent sheep consultant and SCOPS spokesperson, and Stewart Burgess of Moredun provided an update on the RDPE For Flock’s Sake sheep scab project, including new information on extension work. 21st June 2022 Read More
Survey results reveal how much more sheep farmers have to consider when choosing and using products - particularly moxidectin Lesley Stubbings, independent sheep consultant and spokesperson for SCOPS, recently spoke at a WORMSS webinar that provided information to farmers and advisers on a survey conducted by Dr Jennifer McIntyre of Glasgow University on how much farmers understand about using moxidectin in their sheep. 19th June 2022 Read More
SCOPS welcomes new accreditation option for sheep dipping SCOPS is pleased to learn there is now an additional option for farmers to get accredited in the safe use and disposal of sheep dip. It is a legal requirement for farmers to have a licence when dipping, so it is positive to have another option for getting the correct accreditation. 17th June 2022 Read More
Statement from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) June 2022 SCOPS highlights this message from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). "OP dip is only authorised for use as a plunge dip. This means OP dip should not be used via any other administration method (e.g. via a shower, jetter or sprayer). The VMD's Enforcement Team will take action in response to any reported cases of unauthorised administration, or the sale or promotion of OP dip for use via an unauthorised administration method. 1st June 2022 Read More

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