Lameness affects an estimated 10% of the UK sheep flock at any time, causing significant, often prolonged pain that frequently goes untreated due to treatment gaps and limited stockperson knowledge. Sheep lameness is considered one of the most important welfare issues in UK livestock farming.
Sheep lameness represents one of the clearest examples of a widespread, preventable welfare problem in UK livestock farming. An estimated 10% prevalence means millions of individual sheep are in pain at any given time — pain that is often chronic, as treatment gaps of weeks to months are common. Sheep evolved as prey animals and suppress behavioural signs of pain effectively, meaning that by the time a sheep's lameness is obvious, it has typically been suffering for some time. The condition is highly treatable when addressed promptly, with studies showing that treatment within three to five days achieves resolution in the vast majority of footrot cases. The welfare solution is well understood: regular flock inspection, rapid identification of lame animals, prompt treatment, and participation in eradication programmes.