Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Lameness Welfare Economics

Lameness in sheep is widespread, painful, and costly, with economic analysis supporting investment in prevention and prompt treatment as both welfare-positive and financially beneficial.

Key Facts

Lameness affects 10-20% of UK sheep at any time making it the most common welfare issue
Footrot and interdigital dermatitis are the leading lameness causes in UK sheep
Prompt treatment within 3 days of lameness onset dramatically reduces duration and spread
Vaccination against footrot is cost-effective and reduces welfare burden significantly
Lame sheep lose body condition, have reduced reproductive performance, and are priority welfare cases

Welfare Considerations

Sheep lameness represents a major welfare and economic problem that disproportionate to its visibility in welfare discourse. The availability of effective prevention and treatment makes lameness a welfare deficit of management rather than an unavoidable production disease, strengthening the ethical case for intervention.

What You Can Do

Support sheep welfare programs that target lameness identification and treatment
Learn about the five-point plan for sheep lameness control
Advocate for lameness scoring requirements in sheep welfare standards