Ectoparasites including sheep scab mites, blowflies, lice, and ticks cause significant suffering. Managing growing resistance to treatments is a major welfare challenge.
Ectoparasite resistance to treatments is an emerging crisis that threatens the welfare of millions of sheep. As chemical options fail, untreated or undertreated infestations cause prolonged suffering from intense pruritus, tissue damage, secondary infection, and systemic illness. The welfare consequences of resistance are severe because animals appear treated but continue to suffer. Integrated pest management - combining treatment rotation, monitoring, selective treatment, and non-chemical methods - is both the welfare and the sustainability imperative. Farmers need guidance on resistance testing and treatment decision-making.