| 2019-02-11 |    |
Maedi Visna (MV) Scheme Changes in Place
Changes to the MV Accreditation Scheme which came in to force from 1st January 2019 have been made to reduce the risk of MV infection arriving in flocks with new stock.
According to SAC a recent review of Maedi Visna breakdowns in accredited animals has shown that one of the big risk factors for infection is the purchase and addition of accredited animals to accredited flocks.
David Wilson of SAC says this infection could originate from the flock of origin or occur at the sale or during transport. “MV can be spread by nose to nose contact so any breach of biosecurity and contact with non-accredited animals could lead to infection.
“While the risk of a breakdown is low (on average only 0.2% of accredited flocks/herds will lose their status due to infection each year) we have to take this risk seriously as the impact of a breakdown on an individual flock can have massive financial and emotional implications for our members.”
Mr Wilson says Rule 4.1.2 relating to added MV accredited animals has been updated and it will now be mandatory to test all animals added to your accredited flock/herd between 6 and 12 months after arriving.
“We also strongly recommend that added accredited animals are tested at the time they are added to the flock/herd. These tests are designed to address the risk of adding accredited, but infected animals. It is not possible to reliably trace all movements from breakdown flocks, so these tests will partially replace that process.”
MV infection in commercial flocks/herds within the UK is increasing and this poses a major threat to MV accredited animals. “Non MV accredited animals kept on the same holding as MV accredited animals are a risk factor.There will now be a requirement for members with non MV accredited animals on the same holding to perform a cull ewe screen of 12 non MV accredited animals at the time of the flock’s routine periodic blood test.”
“If infection is found in the non-accredited flock or the cull ewe screen is not performed the accredited flock will be classified as high risk and revert to one-yearly testing.
Members with MV accredited flocks should also note new guidelines regarding the importation of animals, semen and embryos, he adds.
Imported animals accredited under a non-UK scheme must be kept isolated until authorisation is given by the Premium Sheep and Goat Health Scheme (PSGHS) vet to add them to the MV/CAE accredited flock.
“Accreditation certificates of imported animals and a signed import declaration should be sent to the PSGHS office for examination. Import declaration forms can be found at www.sheepandgoathealth.co.uk
“The PSGHS will then issue clearance to add the animals to the flock/herd if appropriate.
All imported animals with recognised non-UK MV/CAE accreditation will require testing as per Rule 4.1.2 “Adding MV/CAE accredited animals to an MV/CAE accredited flock/herd”
However, imported animals that are not accredited under a recognised non-UK accreditation scheme will require testing as per Rule 4.1.5 “Acquiring non-MV/CAE accredited animals”.
Meanwhile, imported semen/embryos from animals accredited under a non-UK scheme must not be used/implanted in MV/CAE accredited animals until authorisation is given by the PSGHS vet.
“Accreditation certificates from the animals of origin used to produce semen/embryos should be sent to the PSGHS office for examination.
“The PSGHS will then issue clearance if appropriate to use/implant the semen/embryos in MV/CAE accredited animals.”
But, semen or embryos from animals that are not accredited under a recognised non-UK accreditation scheme should not be used/implanted in MV/CAE accredited animals, explains Mr Wilson.
