The National Sheep Association (NSA) Wales/Cymru Region is pleased to announce its support for a new project led by the Wales Veterinary Science Centre taking control of the future health and welfare of Wales's sheep flock.

The project, to test for iceberg diseases, such as Maedi-Visna, Johnes, CLA and hopefully Border disease,  will make improvements in sheep health and welfare, improve disease control, specify agreed standards to ensure a level playing field and create strong links with stakeholders like farmers, vets and consumers.

Funding provided by NSA Wales / Cymru Region will allow Wales's Veterinary Science Centre to acquire vital equipment needed to offer sheep serology (blood) testing as a screening tool for flocks identifying these serious sheep diseases) that continue to have devastating effects on sheep flocks across Wales and beyond.

NSA Wales / Cymru Development Officer Helen Roberts comments: "NSA Cymru is pleased to support this initiative which we hope will not just benefit the Welsh sheep industry but the UK sector as a whole.

"The scheme to monitor and improve health of sheep flocks in the UK offers strong hope that steps can be taken towards improved disease control and ultimate reduction of incidence."

The sheep serology will be accessible once Wales's Veterinary Science Centre (WVSC) has purchased equipment and undertaken staff training. The long-term view of the project is to work with stakeholders to create a national flock scheme.