THE majority of the hefted flocks will have been on the mountain/fell since the turn of the year.

In most cases it is highly unlikely that there will have been any introduction of bought-in stock since possibly last autumn.

There will have been little contact from shepherds during this period and the chances of fell sheep coming into contact with bought-in store or slaughter sheep and cattle are low.

The Sheep Veterinary Society advises that ewes currently on the fell are less at risk from coming into contact with foot and mouth virus than if they move down to lower ground.

It has been shown that local spread (by people and vehicles) is an issue as well as sheep to sheep, sheep to cattle or cattle to cattle spread.

All these factors increase as a risk on lower ground compared to the open fell. In bye pasture is for example very frequently accessed through lower pasture, and proximity to potentially-infected animals is increased.

Shepherds are urged to consider carefully the options, bearing in mind the risks of bringing down fell ewes, infection occurring in bye and infected ewes being turned back onto open fell with lambs at foot.

The consequences of this happening outweigh the potential benefits of lambing in-bye.

Updated: 09:20 Thursday, April 05, 2001