Northern Ireland Scrapie Plan

The aim of the Northern Ireland Scrapie Plan (NISP) is to reduce the incidence of TSEs in sheep, to increase the genetic resistance of sheep to TSEs, and eventually to eliminate Scrapie from the national sheep flock. The NISP is a voluntary, long-term initiative currently consisting of the Compulsory Scrapie Flock Scheme (CSFS). The Ewe Genotyping Scheme (EGS) which closed in 2009, the Ram Genotyping Scheme (RGS) which closed in 2010, and the Northern Ireland Ram Semen Archive which also closed in 2010 were also previously part of the NISP.  

The main objective of these genotyping programmes introduced in NI in 2003 under the NISP was to reduce the incidence of Scrapie, build up resistance to Scrapie in breeding flocks, and consequently reduce the risk of BSE in sheep if it was present in the national flock.

Following an EU Commission decision not to proceed with planned compulsory genotyping, the RGS was reviewed on a UK-wide basis during 2006. The review included scientific developments from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) which concluded that the prevalence of BSE in the UK sheep population is likely to be zero, or very low if present at all. SEAC also concluded that there is no evidence to date that suggests Classical Scrapie poses any risk to human health. As a result on 31 March 2009 DEFRA closed the Great Britain scheme.

Following a recent NI review, the Minister has taken the decision to close the Scheme here also. This decision was taken as there is no longer a real threat of BSE in our national sheep flock and therefore the public health driver for continuation of the scheme has significantly diminished.

For further information you can download the Ram Genotyping Scheme booklet or contact Scrapie Section on 028 9052 5275.

The Ram Semen Archive was established in 2004 on a UK wide basis, with the NI Archive being maintained independently of the GB model.

The Archive collected, stored and maintained semen from rams, with important breeding traits, that potentially could be genetically susceptible to Scrapie. It was designed to give breeders the confidence to continue breeding for Scrapie resistance, as populations of ‘lost’ genotypes could be reintroduced should the need ever arise.

However, during the time the Archives (GB and NI) have been operating there has been no scientific evidence to suggest that any particular breeding traits were lost through genotyping programmes and there has been no need to re-introduce stored susceptible genotypes into the sheep population. It was therefore concluded that there is no justifiable need to maintain the Archives for the purpose that they were originally intended.

In 2008, in GB, DEFRA passed responsibility for the GB Archive to the National Sheep Association and Rare Breeds Survival Trust, who currently maintain the archive.

In NI, DARD offered the Archive to the National Sheep Association and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust; however they could not assume ownership due to the cost involved in maintaining the Archive. Following further consultation with sheep sector stakeholders it was concluded that the Northern Ireland Ram Semen Archive should be closed. The closure was completed on 27 October 2010.

For further information on the Archive contact TSE, ABP & RCS Branch on 028 9052 4899.