NSA & Moredun: Tackling Louping Ill

NSA, alongside Moredun, Liverpool University and affected farmers discussed the devastating and growing issue of louping ill (LIV) at a lunchtime webinar on Tuesday. The online session brought together expert researchers and farmers with first hand experience of the disease, highlighting the devastating impacts, the science behind a new vaccine, and practical steps for protecting flocks.

LIV remains a serious hazard to upland sheep, with outbreaks causing high mortality and heavy economic losses. The virus is transmitted by the sheep tick, and can also infect red grouse, other livestock, horses and poines and occasionally dogs. 

Well known Scottish farmer Ian Duncan Millar joined the webinar sharing his experience of losing who lost 70 ewes to the disease in 2023. Crucially, the webinar revealed progress towards the reintroduction of a vaccine against LIV,  developed by Moredun and now being advanced to commercial rollout. The previous vaccine was withdrawn in 2017, leaving a significant gap in disease protection.

With rising tick numbers and expanding LIV risk areas, the need for prompt action has never been greater. NSA and Moredun are therefore calling on sheep producers, veterinary practices, moorland managers and all relevant stakeholders to support the vaccine’s rollout.

The webinar is now available to watch again here. For more information on the appeal to raise funds to support the production of the LIV vaccine click here.