Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Lameness: Scale and Solutions

Lameness is one of the most prevalent and impactful welfare problems in sheep flocks, with effective prevention and treatment available but inconsistently applied.

Key Facts

Lameness affects an estimated 3-8% of UK sheep at any one time
Footrot and foot scald are the leading causes of sheep lameness
Lameness reduces grazing time, body condition, and reproductive performance significantly
Five-point plans for lameness control have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing flock lameness
Pain recognition in lame sheep has improved through validated assessment tools

Welfare Considerations

Sheep lameness represents one of the most tractable welfare problems in UK livestock farming. Evidence-based five-point plans including prompt treatment, appropriate culling, vaccination, and genetic selection have demonstrated significant flock lameness reduction in adoption studies. The welfare case is strong and the economic case compelling as lame sheep perform poorly. The barrier is knowledge and motivation rather than available solutions.

What You Can Do

Support sheep farmer training in five-point lameness control approaches
Advocate for lameness to be a mandatory welfare audit indicator in sheep certification
Choose lamb from farms with documented lameness control programs
Donate to organizations providing sheep lameness resources and farmer training