Livestock

Livestock Sheep Foot Rot Management and Welfare

Foot rot is a painful bacterial disease causing lameness in sheep that is highly manageable with good husbandry.

Key Facts

Foot rot causes economic losses of over £80 million annually in the UK
The bacteria require wet conditions to spread between sheep
Effective vaccines are available and provide good protection
Prompt treatment with antibiotics and foot trimming reduces duration of lameness

Welfare Considerations

Sheep with foot rot experience significant lameness pain that affects their ability to graze, compete for resources, and care for lambs. Untreated foot rot causes progressive tissue destruction and severe chronic pain. Given the availability of effective vaccines and treatments, unmanaged foot rot represents a preventable welfare failure. Systematic flock health programmes that include foot rot vaccination dramatically reduce the burden of pain.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory flock health planning requirements for sheep farms
Advocate for foot rot vaccination to be standard in sheep welfare standards
Choose lamb from producers demonstrating systematic lameness management
Back research into foot rot resistance breeding and improved vaccines