Warning over liver fluke spread

Published on Wednesday 30 April 2008 22:20

LIVER fluke is a wasting disease of cattle and sheep formerly confined to parts of the UK and Ireland where rainfall was historically higher than in the more benevolent climate of the eastern halves of the two.

However, in recent years – and it may well be a function of global warming – this pestilence is now widespread even in areas with relatively low levels of rainfall.

The lifestyle of the fluke is complex, but depends on a specific species of snail acting as the intermediate host. The facts, according to Fiona MacGillivray, of Merial Animal Health, a world leader in the development of veterinary products, are that an infestation in cattle can depress appetite by more than 10 per cent.

This invariably has an impact on profitability as the affected animals take significantly longer to reach slaughter weight and consume more feed than is strictly necessary.

MacGillivray said: "Breaking the fluke cycle by treating cattle at around three months after turnout to grass can help to reduce the fluke egg output by up to 96 per cent and improve liveweight gains by as much as 74 kilos.

"Many farmers underestimate the importance of fluke treatments during the summer, as a way of reducing pasture contamination. Most tend to focus purely on dosing prior to housing in the autumn, but they should reconsider this policy."

The cost of liver fluke is estimated at about 3 million each year to the UK beef industry, with up to 20 per cent of livers condemned at slaughter.

Alan McNaughton, of McIntosh Donald, operates a major plant just south of Aberdeen, and has been concerned at the loss of value for several years.

He said: "Liver from cattle is a straight-off loss if it cannot be sold. It may be of relatively small value from each animal, but the cost does mount up for abattoir operators.

"Any animal coming with a clean liver is always going to be more efficient both for us and the farmer. Every farmer producing finished cattle should be doing something to avoid fluke infestation."