Sheep Scrapie Surveillance: Fallen Stock and Abattoir Monitoring

Active scrapie surveillance through fallen stock testing and abattoir sampling underpins national eradication programmes.

Key Facts

The EU and UK mandatory surveillance programmes test fallen stock from flocks over a minimum age threshold.
Abattoir sampling of healthy animals provides passive surveillance data on subclinical infection rates.
Rapid immunoassay tests allow same-day screening of brain tissue samples.
Positive results trigger flock investigation, genotyping of survivors, and movement restrictions.
Surveillance data are used to calculate national scrapie prevalence and monitor eradication progress.
The UK declared freedom from classical scrapie in 2021, though ongoing surveillance is maintained.

Welfare Considerations

Effective surveillance serves animal welfare by enabling rapid detection and response to new cases, preventing disease spread and prolonged suffering in undetected flocks. Participation in surveillance by all eligible flocks is essential — incomplete data undermines the programme. Farmers should ensure fallen stock are collected by approved services and report any animals showing neurological signs to their vet immediately.

What You Can Do

Ensure all fallen sheep are collected by an approved fallen stock collection service and not buried.
Report any sheep showing signs of neurological disease promptly to your veterinary surgeon.
Cooperate fully with any APHA investigation following a positive scrapie result in your flock.
Maintain accurate flock records to facilitate rapid genotyping following any suspect case.