Scrapie rules to hit sheep showing

SHEEP entries at various agricultural shows are likely to be depleted in the coming months because of new movement rules relating to scrapie.

Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh said it was recently decided to amend the policy on the movement of sheep to agricultural shows following consultation with the industry.

Two groups of sheep will be permitted to attend shows held in 2003: those from scrapie-monitored flocks and those from flocks which have joined the scrapie-monitored flock scheme but have not completed a three-year probationary period.