Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Liver Fluke Integrated Control

Liver fluke disease causes significant suffering in sheep globally, requiring integrated control combining strategic treatment, pasture management and monitoring.

Key Facts

Liver fluke infection affects millions of sheep annually worldwide
Severe infection causes acute fluke disease with high mortality in autumn/winter
Chronic fluke reduces growth, reproduction and wool quality significantly
Triclabendazole resistance is emerging, complicating treatment strategies
Pasture management - avoiding wet areas and rotation - reduces infection risk substantially

Welfare Considerations

Liver fluke causes prolonged suffering through organ damage and anaemia. Integrated control using multiple strategies reduces reliance on single treatments and protects long-term efficacy.

What You Can Do

Advocate for integrated parasite management programmes on farms
Support research into resistance monitoring and alternative treatments
Encourage farmers to use fluke forecasting tools and risk maps