To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (i) for his assessment of the prevalence of sheep scab; and (ii) to detail his plans to eradicate the disease.

In the five year period from 2015 onto 2020 there have been 33 cases of sheep scab reported to the Department, nine of which have been confirmed by either a Private Veterinary Practitioner (PVP) or the Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI).

Sheep scab is a notifiable disease in Northern Ireland (NI), the Republic of Ireland (RoI) and Great Britain (GB). It only affects sheep and there are no public health concerns with the disease. Preventing, detecting and eradicating animal disease is a primary objective of my Department. The Sheep Scab Order (NI) 1970 places a legal obligation on any person who has reason to believe that sheep in their possession or care have sheep scab to notify their local Divisional Veterinary Office (DVO) as soon as possible.

On suspicion of sheep scab the Department applies a restriction to the flock and the responsibility lies with the flock keeper to involve their PVP to confirm the presence or absence of sheep scab carrying out whatever examinations, tests and treatment they deem appropriate.

The PVP must then certify and prove to the Department that a thorough flock investigation has taken place and that all necessary actions have been completed. This usually occurs over a period of time but there is no fixed time period that must elapse before a sheep scab restriction is lifted on a holding.

My officials work in close collaboration with key representatives from the farming community to ensure the necessary support and guidance is available in relation to maintain high animal health standards thus minimising the risk of disease spread such as sheep scab. These good biosecurity measures and practices range from official controls in place across the entire food production and supply chain, to the education of industry through knowledge transfer and raising awareness via media channels.

Officials will keep the control of the disease under review in partnership with industry stakeholders, affected flock keepers and through cooperation with our colleagues in GB and the RoI. DAERA will continue to provide the necessary support and advice to industry in order to minimise spread of the disease.