Epizootic disease The canton of Lucerne wants to combat sheep foot rot
The canton of Lucerne is aiming to curb sheep foot rot within five years. The contagious and painful hoof disease is to be reduced to less than one percent by 2029 with annual examinations.
24.09.2024, 10:11
SDA
Today, an estimated 25 to 40 percent of Swiss sheep flocks are infected with foot rot, as announced by the Canton of Lucerne's Department of Health and Social Affairs on Tuesday. As local attempts to control the disease have failed, a national program will now be launched from 1 October.
This provides for annual inspections of the sheep population, according to the statement. The first testing period will last until March 31, 2025. Samples will be taken from the sheep and the results recorded in an animal traffic database.
If the rotting limp is detected, the affected livestock will be banned and sanitized. This includes hoof trimming, a hoof bath and biosecurity measures. The Lucerne Veterinary Service decides on the measures to be taken.
According to the canton, livestock owners are obliged to cooperate. If sampling is refused and no results are available at the end of the test period, the affected livestock farm will be closed and sampling ordered.
According to the notification, the animal disease fund bears the costs for the initial test and the first test after any sanitation. Sheep farmers must contribute CHF 30 per year per collective sample - i.e. ten or more animals - up to a maximum of CHF 90 per flock of sheep.
Mottled limp is caused by a bacterium. According to the canton, it is harmless to humans and other animals. In the event of illness, it can lead to considerable economic losses for sheep farmers, according to the canton.
