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BBC Scotland’s environment correspondent, Kevin Keane, reported on a distressing situation faced by livestock farmer Michael Goldie. Goldie lost over half of his lambs to the Schmallenberg virus, a deadly disease that had not previously been a major concern in Scotland. The loss of 92 out of 152 expected lambs has left Goldie devastated and fearing the potential financial ruin of his farm in Dundonald near Troon in Ayrshire. Although Scotland had been relatively free from the Schmallenberg virus before this outbreak, the spike in cases has raised concerns among agricultural communities.
Chief vet Sheila Voas highlighted the growing threats faced by farmers, emphasizing the need for extra vigilance in detecting warning signs of diseases. The Schmallenberg virus, detected first in Germany in 2011, has since made its unfortunate debut in Scotland, leading to significant losses for farmers like Michael Goldie. The rise in disease outbreaks, including the spread of a new strain of bluetongue virus in England, has prompted warnings about the changing climate’s impact on the prevalence of such diseases in Scotland.
In response to the escalating challenges, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has developed an app called HerdPlan to assist farmers in monitoring and managing the health of their livestock more efficiently. This digital tool aims to replace traditional paper-based systems with real-time data tracking and analysis to identify and address potential health issues promptly. Additionally, SRUC offers subsidized post-mortem examinations to help farmers understand the causes of animal deaths and better control disease transmission. Despite efforts to protect livestock from diseases like Schmallenberg and bluetongue, the chief vet remains cautious, indicating that the spread of such illnesses to Scotland may be unavoidable in the near future. Farmers like Michael Goldie are advised to remain vigilant for any signs of disease outbreaks and take necessary precautions to protect their animals
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