NFU Scotland, in conjunction with the Scottish Executive, Quality Meat Scotland, Moredun and the SAC, are running a conference on Wednesday May 18 2005 to highlight the threats facing Scotland's cattle from an increasing array of diseases.

The conference will outline key strategies that organisations and individuals need to develop, adopt and promote in order to maintain and improve the health status of Scotland's herd and combat the threat of key diseases.

The stakeholder groups wish to kick-start the process by hosting this one day conference that will highlight the new disease threats, examine the success of existing disease strategies and look at opportunities that may open up for Scotland's cattle producers going forward.

Experts will give presentations on specific diseases as well as on topics such as breeding for health, health management and the technological developments needed to combat disease threat.

Nigel Miller, NFU Scotland's Livestock Committee Chairman, said:

“This conference was born out of the success of a conference held last year on sheep health. Many priorities were identified at this conference and initiatives, e.g. Sheep Scab, on which NFU Scotland runs a helpline, are still fully operational. Several organisations have also produced many articles based on sheep health following the conference.

“As a result of the conference, Scotland also leads the way in recognising the threats posed to all sheep flocks by CLA and the tools needed by shepherds to identify and combat the disease.

“I feel sure that this cattle conference will have an equally positive impact on the control of disease within Scotland's cattle population and look forward to NFU Scotland being involved in this continuing initiative.”

There are a small number of places still available at the conference, which takes place at Perth Agricultural Centre, and these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Kate Scott on 0131 472 4124 or kate.scott@nfus.org.uk.