summer 2017 round-uP Strike it out! As we move into summer with the promise of warmer weather across the uK it is increasingly important for sheep keepers to maintain a vigilant eye on their flocks for fly strike. Blow flies, which are metallic green or blue in appearance, lay their white eggs in the wool of sheep often at the rear end, though it can be anywhere. When the eggs hatch, maggots emerge and eat into the skin and flesh of the sheep. RouNd-uP Sheep with fly strike may display abnormal behaviour, though this is not always the case. An animal may be on its own, not grazing, rubbing along a fence or wall, or stamping its feet, kicking or biting at itself. often, there will be wool loss. Sheep that are scouring (diarrhoea) from fresh spring grass or a heavy worm burden are more likely to attract blow flies, so it is important to have good land-management and parasitic controls. This includes rotation onto clean pasture and the appropriate use of anthelmintics. The risk of strike can be reduced, but not eliminated, by dagging or cutting away soiled wool from the sheeps back end, shearing animals in the summer months, and using preventative treatments. Responsible use for Medicines in Agriculture (Ruma) has issued guidance to help farmers with husbandry methods and appropriate use of veterinary medicines on farms. If it is not detected early enough or left untreated fly strike can be fatal for sheep. Livestock keepers must take all reasonable steps to protect their animals from pain, injury, suffering or disease, and they risk prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 if they fail to deal effectively with an animal that has fly strike. If found guilty, they face a financial penalty and/or imprisonment. In addition, they could be disqualified from having any involvement with, or influence over, livestock if they fail to follow the welfare codes. The health and welfare of animals depends on good supervision, so shepherds should carry out regular inspections of their flock. Where sheep are located in pastures that attract flies, particular attention needs to be paid to the signs of fly strike. Credit: Steph Young BuSineSS matterS trading Standards is committed to making it easier for businesses to comply with the law and Trading Standards Business News (TSBN) is one of the ways it is doing just that. formerly called Trading Standards News, this publication focuses on topics that are relevant to people running businesses, and aims to help them operate safely and efficiently while staying within the law. if you are viewing this edition on a web browser, you can download the TsBn app for apple, android and amazon devices. aWare of Crime? report it anonymouSly to trading StandardS the level playing field that nurtures and promotes economic growth and development for businesses, locally and nationally, is maintained by trading Standards. it partly does this by offering advice and assistance to honest and legitimate traders who request guidance on legislation, and by assisting those traders who lose their way in the world of trading Standards and need a little help to become compliant. Where businesses choose to trade outside the law and ignore the advice and guidance given, trading Standards tackles them by using appropriate enforcement action. a lack of willingness and cooperation to comply with trading law and any engagement in criminal activity undermines and harms legitimate trade. RouNd-uP this inevitably leads to honest businesses being disadvantaged and having to compete against traders who offer inferior goods and services. to survive, the honest business may be forced to lower its standards or its quality of product, resulting in unsatisfied consumers. left unchecked, this leads to a loss in consumer confidence, and has resulted in certain trade sectors being mistrusted. By working with trading Standards, legitimate businesses that believe their sector is being damaged and undermined by unscrupulous traders, can now help focus and target trading Standards resources, and reduce the harm being inflicted upon their profession. traders who believe their professions reputation is being damaged and undermined by illegitimate traders working outside the law, can now report people engaged in such activities via the anonymous, automated hotline 0300 303 2636, or by using the online reporting system www.centsa.org.uk/anonymous-hotline Working together to rid professions of unlawful traders will result in better reputations for these sectors, and improve consumer confidence and trust. this will, in turn, encourage growth in trade and economic development, both locally and nationally. Report foul play to create a level playing field for all. Credit: Brandon Cook for further information, please contact your local trading Standards Service