Towards improving medicine stewardship in the Northern Ireland sheep flock
Crawford, P.E. (2025) Towards improving medicine stewardship in the Northern Ireland sheep flock. Doctoral thesis, Harper Adams University.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND National sales data cannot identify which medicines are used in sheep, as most products are also used to treat other species. Further, there is no data on why medicines are being used in the Northern Ireland (NI) flock. Levels of antimicrobial consumption may indicate underlying health and welfare concerns within a flock. DATA COLLECTION An online questionnaire addressed sheep scab, and general flock health. Medicine records were obtained from 52 NI sheep farmers, and analysed to determine the types and quantities of medicines being used. Concurrently semi-structured interviews were undertaken with farmers (27), vets (15), SQPs (7) and other industry stakeholders (13) to investigate drivers for medicine use, and the barriers to improve stewardship, from each participant’s unique viewpoint. The themes from the interviews were considered through a series of discussion groups with stakeholders. RESULTS Significant findings regarding the distribution of sheep scab throughout NI, and a number of barriers farmers face in controlling it were highlighted. Medicine records demonstrated a wide variation in the medicines used, the drivers for their use and farmers’ ability to record medicine usage. Overall, NI sheep farmers appear to have low antibiotic consumption but there exist notable areas for improvement. Prescribers described a range of experiences and impact achieved in trying to influence farmer behaviour. Industry stakeholders generally recognise the need for change but are cognisant that there are few clearly-defined incentives to reward change in antimicrobial stewardship. CONCLUSION Given the diverse range of opinions coming from the interviews and discussions, it is unlikely there will be a simple solution to improve medicine stewardship. The full range of sheep industry stakeholders will need to work together to motivate, facilitate, reward, and sustain changes in behaviour, in both farmers and prescribers, if meaningful and lasting change in practice is to occur.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Divisions: | Agriculture and Environment (from 1.08.20) |
| Depositing User: | Mrs Susan Howe |
| Date Deposited: | 11 Nov 2025 12:44 |
| Last Modified: | 11 Nov 2025 12:44 |
| URI: | https://hau.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/18273 |
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