Lameness is one of the most significant and prevalent welfare problems affecting sheep globally, requiring active prevention and treatment.
Sheep lameness represents a persistent, large-scale welfare failure in UK and global sheep farming. A lame sheep cannot graze, move, compete for resources, or participate in normal social behaviour without pain — every aspect of its daily experience is compromised. Despite being highly treatable when caught early, many lame sheep go untreated for weeks due to infrequent flock inspection or treatment reluctance. Welfare-centred flock management includes regular locomotion scoring, prompt treatment of all identified lame animals within 3 days of detection, vaccination programmes for footrot control, and genetic selection for reduced susceptibility. The Five Point Plan programme provides practical implementation support for farmers committing to lameness control.