Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Welfare and Scrapie Resistance Genetics

Scrapie is a fatal prion disease in sheep with significant welfare impact. Genetic selection for resistance alleles has dramatically reduced scrapie in UK flocks.

Key Facts

Scrapie causes progressive neurological disease with inevitable fatal outcome
The ARR allele of the PRNP gene confers resistance to classical scrapie
UK National Scrapie Plan promoted breeding from resistant rams from 2003
ARR allele frequency has increased substantially in UK commercial breeds
Atypical scrapie (Nor98) affects even genetically resistant sheep and requires ongoing monitoring

Welfare Considerations

Scrapie causes prolonged neurological suffering and invariably fatal outcomes. Genetic resistance selection has been highly effective and represents a successful welfare improvement through genetics that should serve as a model for other conditions.

What You Can Do

Support farmers using scrapie-resistant genetics in breeding programmes
Learn about scrapie genetics and the National Scrapie Plan outcomes
Advocate for genetics-based welfare improvements for other prion and genetic diseases
Choose lamb from flocks with verified genetic disease management