|
As membership of the NSP ram genotyping schemes has grown, an increasing proportion of the sheep presented at sales and shows will have been scrapie genotyped. The number of rams genotyped will continue to increase in the years ahead with the introduction of a compulsory breeding programme in 2005. An EID bolus has been administered to all sheep that have been genotyped in the NSP, other than ewes tested through the Ewe Genotyping Service in the winter of 2002/3. Certificates (NSP 4) showing the EID bolus number are issued for all rams with NSP types 1, 2 and 3 genotype results and for ewes with NSP types 1 and 2 genotype results.
When NSP certified sheep change ownership, section 4 of the Certificate should be completed and returned to NSPAC by the vendor and section 3 by the new owner. This will then allow for transfer of ownership to be recorded on the NSP database and a revised Certificate for the sheep to be issued with the new ownership details.
Entries to sales and shows that have been NSP genotyped should be checked. Owners should present NSP Certificates for entered sheep and the sheep should be scanned to check that the number of the bolus corresponds with that on the Certificate. Breed societies have been issued with scanners for this purpose.
Without this verification of identity and genotypes there are opportunities for mistaken recognition of identity at sales and shows, either accidentally or fraudulently, so this reminder of good practice will greatly reduce the risk of such mistakes occurring.
If you have any queries, please phone the NSP Helpline who will be happy to help you.
