We have assessed the impacts that the faeces of anthelmintic-treated animals have on invertebrate populations through the use of baited fly traps. Traps were set up to assess the attractiveness of anthelmintics in faeces to flies and beetles, and how they develop within that faeces. Flies were collected and are currently being identified.

We evaluated the impact of phoretic mites carried by dung-beetles on reducing helminth burdens on pasture, through active predation of parasite eggs and larvae in the dung. We hoped to establish phoretic mite feeding assays in the laboratory to assess this, but a shortage of dung beetles and mites this year precluded us from achieving this objective. The approach currently being evaluated is to use PCR techniques to assess the presence/absence of roundworm DNA in phoretic mites and dung beetles collected from previous work as a proxy for their predatory behaviour in the field.

We are assessing the feasibility, acceptability, profitability and environmental impact of heather grazing in collaboration with industry stakeholders. Eleven farmers participated in focus-group discussions and from those, five trialled alternative parasite control strategies on-farm. The strategies included heather grazing and nematophagous fungi. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected; both alternatives show roundworm control potential on-farm, but should be seen as part of a basket of options rather than standalone options.

The key environmental contraindications and disposal requirements for broad-spectrum anthelmintics for sheep and cattle have been collated and summarised in collaboration with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, the competent authority in charge of licensing and registration of UK veterinary medicines. This exercise led to the establishment of a joint environmental working group within the industry stakeholder-led SCOPS and COWS groups on best practice advice for sustainable parasite control in sheep and cattle, which is co-chaired by project PIs. The joint group met and developed resources (including a podcast and web pages), to help farmers make informed decisions around anthelmintic usage, to help mitigate any potentially detrimental environmental impacts. Additionally, project PIs have been proactive in establishing a working group focusing on Environmentally Sustainable Livestock Farming (ELF) practices and their potential impacts on animal health and welfare. This group comprises acknowledged experts from across the livestock sector, including farmers, academics and relevant government policy teams. The group met to discuss and agree where future research should focus and identify gaps that appropriate research and knowledge exchange could address. One early output of the group was the generation of a Moredun Foundation ELF factsheet. and several policy briefs.

All KE objectives were completed, with a wide range of activities undertaken, for example, scientific and lay talks, podcasts, webinars, workshops and CPD events, plus attendance at agricultural events, industry-led committees (SCOPS and COWS), as well as the inaugural Dung Beetle Conference.

Impact:

Project PIs have continued to work with industry-led SCOPS & COWS groups as well as the VMD, to address the issue of antiparasitics and the environment. The groups met to develop materials and advice (podcast and web-pages), to help farmers/vets make informed decisions around if/when to treat, what product to use and how best to dispose of unused chemical. Project members also provided updates/information to Scottish Government and Environmental Standards Scotland regarding anthelmintics and the environment. Measuring behavioural change is difficult in the real-world but there are ongoing discussions with the major stakeholders, to look at practical ways of gathering and assessing anthelmintic usage. The question is how to incentivise farmers/vets to collate and return information, (e.g. inclusion in subsidy schemes?)

Discussions with leading industry stakeholders, including Soil Association Scotland, animal feed industries and livestock co-ops are ongoing, to identify research priorities and facilitate the incorporation of nutritional alternatives in animal feed to reduce anthelmintic use. One of the project PIs was invited to speak to a stakeholder event organised by the Scottish Forest and Timber Technologies on the “Potential use of bark for parasite control in livestock”.

Overall, the group is looking to increase impact through engaging with major stakeholders to identify practical solutions now, develop resources and outputs to show the impact of worm control strategies on biodiversity to encourage best behaviour and demonstrate potential positive impacts of particular measures. Project members are also involved in EU interdisciplinary research networks to bring findings/results to a wider research audience.

All Year 2 and knowledge exchange objectives were achieved. The work provides actionable insights into sustainable parasite control that supports biodiversity and livestock health.

Objective 1: Grazing Management and Biodiversity
A replicated grazing trial was conducted to evaluate the impacts of grazing strategies on invertebrate biodiversity, parasitology, and livestock productivity. Sampling included dung beetles, parasitic burden, and animal performance metrics.
 

Objective 2: Anthelmintics and Phoretic Mites
A novel in vitro assay was developed to assess the interaction of phoretic mites (carried by dung beetles) with nematode eggs and larvae. This prototype system maintained viable beetle and mite populations, with systematic testing planned for spring/summer.
 

Objective 3: Alternative Control – Heather Grazing and Fungi
Focus groups with 11 farmers assessed the feasibility and acceptability of heather grazing and nematophagous fungi. Five farms began on-farm trials, which showed promising results as complementary tools for parasite control.
 

Objective 4: Environmental Impact of Anthelmintics
In collaboration with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), key environmental risks and disposal guidance for frontline sheep and cattle anthelmintics were summarised. These were shared via the SCOPS and COWS platforms and informed updated guidance for farmers.
 

Knowledge Exchange
These activities included public and industry presentations, podcasts, webinars, and engagement through major events such as the Royal Highland Show, NSA Sheep, and GOFalkland. Project PIs also contributed to the SCOPS and COWS environmental working groups.
 

To assess the impact of grazing management strategies on biodiversity, soil health and livestock health and productivity, pastures were seeded with drug-susceptible roundworms to generate plots with known levels of parasite resistance and nematode species diversity. Dung beetle and soil chemistry assessments have been undertaken on these paddocks. While to evaluate the impact of anthelmintics on phoretic mites, pitfall traps and sheep faecal sampling have been conducted in order to collect dung beetles with and without phoretic mites for species identification.

To assess the feasibility, acceptability, profitability and environmental impact of heather grazing in consultation with industry stakeholders; interaction with industry partners was organized. From this interaction it would appear that there is interest in identifying and using complimentary parasite control strategies to reduce anthelmintic inputs and that there is acceptence of the logistical limitations and knowledge gaps that require consideration prior to uptake. There is however recognition of the need for alternatives that could be incorporated into a more sustainable roundworm control strategy. Finally an assessment of the pattern of use of frontline anthelmintics in the UK, and in particular Scotland; to determine these patterns historical farmer surveys (undertaken over the last 20 years) and ongoing farmer surveys and anthelmintic sales records have been collated.

Under the auspices of a SEFARI Gateway-funded Special Advisory Group (SAG), project principal investigators (PIs) have been working with industry-led SCOPS and COWS groups, acknowledged and trusted experts in best practice advice, as well as the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to raise the issue of anti-parasitics and the environment. The groups met to develop materials and advice, to help farmers and the industry make informed decisions around if/when to treat, what product to use and how best to dispose of unused chemicals. The SAG had a number of successful outcomes, namely it was able to bring the anthelmintics and the environment topic to the attention of the respective sheep and cattle industry groups, SCOPS and COWS, and to develop easy-to-easy understand resources to help farmers, vets and advisors make informed decisions,based on SCOPS and COWS product tables. Additionally, two of the PIs have been involved in the development of the sheep drench test check component of the UK Government's Defra Health and Welfare Pathway and involved in discussions with Scottish Government's Agriculture Reform Implementation and Oversight Board. Materials have been generated to help facilitate the roll-out of the drench check. Discussions between one of the PIs and leading industry stakeholders, including Soil Association Scotland, animal feed industries and livestock co-ops are ongoing to identify research priorities and facilitate the incorporation of nutritional alternatives in animal feed to reduce anthelmintic use.