Worms cost UK farmers £270m a year, says study

Parasitic worm infections are costing UK livestock producers £270 million in lost production and treatment costs every year, according to a new study.

The study, published in Preventive Veterinary Medicine, involved researchers from the Moredun Research Institute near Edinburgh, Queen’s University in Belfast and Liverpool University. It examined the economic burden of parasitic worm infections – such as roundworms, liver fluke and lungworm – on the livestock sector in 18 European countries including the UK.

It ranked the countries based on the cost of worms to their livestock industry, and France came out top at £419m, followed by the UK at £270m and Ireland at £214m.

A breakdown of the economic impact of worms in the UK showed the dairy sector accounting for 55% of total costs at £149m followed by the beef sector with losses of £78m. Losses in the UK sheep sector were estimated to be £43m, comprising £15m in lost production and £28m in treatment costs.

Professor Eric Morgan from Queen’s said the study highlighted the impact worms have on cattle.

“All farmed ruminants with outdoor access are exposed to these parasites,” he said.

“The move towards producing more milk and meat from grazed grass is also increasing the risk of infections.”

He said although farmers and their advisers were working to control worms through the use of anthelmintic drugs, resistance to these was on the rise.

Dr Dave Bartley from the Moredun said: “The results highlight the need to ensure that when anthelmintics are used, they are doing the job expected of them.”