Work Package Number: 2.2
Running Title: Control of Bacterial Diseases in Livestock
Policy Context
The Aim of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain (AHWS) is: ‘To
improve the health and welfare of animals kept by man, and protect public health from
disease’. The AHWS requires a strong scientific contribution to the development of animal
health and welfare policy and its implementation. A vigorous science base and high quality
research will also contribute to industry best practice and improving the performance of the
livestock sector in Scotland.
In accordance with the principles of the AHWS, this work package will contribute new
knowledge and evidence that will be used to develop tools for prevention of bacterial
diseases. These might include vaccines, diagnostics and livestock management systems.
Where possible this work package will contribute to the development of partnerships for the
implementation of practical disease control measures. The work package will focus on nonstatutory endemic diseases of sheep and cattle, with a smaller component on poultry. The
emphasis will be on diseases with welfare consequences or zoonotic potential. Prevention of
bacterial disease will contribute to protection of human health and improved animal health
and welfare. This will in turn protect the interests of the wider economy and society and
secure opportunities for trade.
Required Outputs




Improved diagnosis and control of important endemic bacterial diseases of livestock
in Scotland.
Knowledge that will enable breeding for disease resistance and vaccine development:
 innate and specific immune responses to, and pathogenesis of bacterial
infections.
 application of functional genomics to understanding pathogen virulence and
host-pathogen interactions.
Improved understanding of emerging problems:
 co-ordination with Defra’s antimicrobial resistance research programme.
 zoonotic infections (both food and non-food borne) in livestock hosts.
Epidemiological studies to inform research and disease control policy and
implementation:
 understanding patterns of disease and pathogen biology.
 knowledge on the economics of diseases control.
Impacts of Research
The overall aim is to develop and implement sustainable control measures for endemic
bacterial diseases of livestock in Scottish livestock systems post CAP reform.
The research should take account of trends for example to extensification and low-input
systems in some areas and increasing use of beef suckler herds in other areas.
1
Tools for control might include evidence such as data on the effectiveness of improved
management and best practice on disease control, economic data on the costs and benefits of
improved disease control and epidemiological, modelling and economic studies.
Ultimately the impact of the research should be reduced use of chemotherapeutic drugs,
improved nutrient utilisation, improved carcase and meat eating quality and protection of
human health.
Improved disease prevention should reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance.
The expertise deployed in this work package should maintain flexibility and capability to
adapt to different priorities that might emerge from the AHWS Steering Group.
Linkages Anticipated

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Exchange of information and personnel between SAC, including VICs, and MRI in
order to develop the use of surveillance data from SAC and other sources for
epidemiological studies to inform the research programme.
Links to relevant Defra and FSA programmes to establish complementarity and avoid
duplication.
Collaboration with Veterinary schools and HEI Departments to further strengthen in
depth expertise for example in epidemiology, pathogen biology and to translate
knowledge generated from model systems.
Collaboration with BBSRC Institutes to bring added value, for example to studies on
immunity and pathogenesis, and on genetics of disease resistance.
Application of genomic technologies could be enhanced by linkage to the Scottish
Bioinformatics Research Network.
Collaboration and integration with common elements of WP2.1. and 2.3, for example
on immunological techniques, epidemiology and delivery of research outputs through
KT. Collaboration with breeding and management studies in WP 2.5 and with farming
systems work in WP 3.1.
Potentially, examination of new management and husbandry practice such as use of
broader field margins that may deliver both animal health, environmental and
biodiversity benefits (CCT2 and CCT3).
An element of horizon scanning (with WPs 2.1 and 2.3) will be required to identify
new and emerging threats arising for example from climate change (CCP1),
management practice and livestock movement.
Suggested Movement From Current Position


Demonstration of end-user need and the potential for application of outputs should
inform plans for strategic research.
Increasing exchange of personnel and knowledge between field based studies,
surveillance and laboratory work.
2
FORM WPD P1-3 Nov05: WORK PACKAGE DETAILS
Section 1: Contacts and Organisations:
1.1 Title of SEERAD Programme
Programme 2: Profitable and sustainable agriculture: animals.
1.2 Title of work package
Control of Bacterial Diseases in Livestock
1.3 Work package reference number
2.2
1.4 Work package manager details:
Title
Forename
Surname
Organisation Name
Department or Division
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
Address Line 3
Town/City
Country
Email
Telephone
FAX
Professor
Willie
Donachie
Moredun Research Institute
Bacteriology
Moredun Research Institute
Pentlands Science Park
Bush Loan
Penicuik
Scotland
Willie.Donachie@moredun.ac.uk
01314455111
01314456111
3
1.5 Organisations involved in work package and percentage contribution.
Organisation Name
% Total WP cost
MRI
SAC
BioSS
1.6 Total work package cost (£ GBP).
£14,718,823
1.7 Duration of work package
5 years
1.8 Start date (dd/mm/yy)
01/04/06
1.9 End date (dd/mm/yy)
31/03/11
4
Index of contents
Page No.
Section No.
Description
4
4
6
7
8
13
14
16
16
18
35
39
40
54
59
65
65
65
66
66
67
71
72
75
80
81
83
83
84
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.3
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
3.10
3.11
3.12
Appendix 1
3.14
3.15
3.16
3.17
3.15
Strategic relevance
Overview
Outcomes
Benefits
Knowledge and Technology Transfer
Contribution to cross-cutting themes
Contribution of Workpackage to Programme
Workpackage Description
Technical summary
Background and Summary State of the Art
Objectives - Sub-package 1 - MRI
Objectives – Sub-package 2 - SAC
Experimental Approach - Sub-package 1 – MRI
Experimental Approach – Sub-package 2 - SAC
Table of Collaborations
Statistical inputs
Quality Assurance
Ethical and Regulatory Issues
Contribution to the 3 R’s
Surveys
Work planning and timetable
Workpackage manager and principal investigators involved
Management plan
References
Total Workpackage costings (MRI)
Organisation Direct staff costs (MRI)
Organisation Direct non-staff costs (MRI)
Indirect costs (MRI)
Organisation Direct staff costs (SAC)
85
85
86
86
87
88
108
3.16
3.17
3.15
3.16
3.17
Annex 2
CVs
Organisation Direct non-staff costs (SAC)
Indirect costs (SAC)
Organisation Direct staff costs (BioSS)
Organisation Direct non-staff costs (BioSS)
Indirect costs (BioSS)
BioSS module details
Summary CVs for Principal Investigators - MRI and SAC
5
Section 2: Strategic Relevance.
Please note: Section 2 is designed to allow assessment of the strategic policy and end-user
relevance of the proposed work package by non-scientists. The information provided in this
section should be written in a style that someone with a standard level education in science
would find informative and accessible.
2.1 Overview. Summarise in approximately 500 words the proposed work and indicate how
it will address the required outputs, including the relevance of the proposed work to
SEERAD policy, end user(s), relevant sector(s) and to Scotland.
The overall objective of the Work Package is to develop and implement sustainable
control measures for endemic bacterial diseases of livestock, including those with
zoonotic potential. The choice of priority areas of research in WP 2.2 is based on prior
knowledge and expertise, and includes those identified as priority areas at The Scottish
Animal Health & Welfare Conference (October 2004) and through a variety of
stakeholder consultations arranged by SAC and MRI. The strategic view is that such a
target can be achieved through a collaborative research structure that addresses two
specific goals:
Goal 1. Improved diagnosis & controls for endemic bacterial diseases of welfare
and zoonotic significance
An improvement in the diagnosis and control of important endemic bacterial diseases of
livestock in Scotland can be achieved substantially through understanding the various
aspects of pathogenesis involved in bacterial infections and the hosts’ innate and
adaptive immune responses. To achieve this objective, integration of investigations to
study both pathogen virulence and host responses for each of the target diseases will be
conducted including work ovine enzootic abortion (chlamydiosis – OEA) and caseous
lymphadenitis (CLA) that farmer level of consultations of the 2004 Moredun Foundation
sheep health survey identified as major threats to UK sheep farming. The work will take
advantage of functional genomics and bioinformatics capabilities to provide detailed
understanding of pathogen virulence and host-pathogen interactions.
The research objectives will target identification, isolation and characterisation of
bacterial cell components and the mechanisms involved in pathogenesis by utilising
environmental conditions relevant to host, bacterial strain modification, in vitro
challenge models and in vivo studies.
The Work Package General Objectives for Goal 1 will be:
1. To identify and characterise the bacterial components involved in pathogenesis
2. To identify and characterise the innate immunological features associated with
bacterial disease in animals
3. To identify the bacterial components involved in virulence and relate these to
protective host immune responses
4. To establish models of infection for analyses of disease pathology and immunity
5. To identify reagents for the development of improved diagnostic tests
6. To improve the knowledge base for further vaccine or alternative control
strategies
6
Goal. 2. Monitoring of agricultural trends in the incidence and prevalence of
bacterial infections – including quantification of the risks of livestock pathogen
transmission
This area of work is a major epidemiological initiative that will permit a generic
understanding of livestock disease and the carriage of pathogens by livestock in
Scotland. It provides a focus to identify and understand changes in animal disease risk
that may be the consequence of global climate change or alterations in farm management
practices (including those that follow CAP reforms). Research will be to determine the
occurrence, examine the transmission and understand the dynamics of bacterial
pathogens at both the individual host and population level and to disseminate the latest
findings to policy departments, health authorities, agricultural producers and related
industries. The work is of immediate policy relevance and links to existing passive
surveillance activities conducted by SAC. It provides a crucial evidence base upon
which research priorities may be established and the knowledge for the development of
specific research activities investigating disease diagnosis and control. The objective
will be able to encompass diseases of a range of livestock hosts, including those of
cattle, sheep and poultry, and the study of the carriage of zoonotic pathogens. One
example of the relevance of this activity to policy is The Advisory Committee on the
Microbiological Safety of Food: Annual Report 2003 stated that an important strategic
aim should be to “Identify & monitor agricultural trends in the incidence and prevalence
of zoonotic microorganisms”. Previous SAC, BioSS and MRI collaborations have
established considerable reputations for the type of research proposed in this WP and,
with key collaborators, the WP contributors have unrivalled expertise, facility and an
international scientific reputation. Output from WP2.2 will include understanding the
patterns of disease and consequently will allow knowledge on the economics of disease
control to be developed. This will be met through involvement in cross cutting project
3.2 "Modelling sheep and cattle diseases to assess farm business options" embedded in
Theme 3 of WP2.5. Two diseases are the initial priority areas of research in relation to
Goal 2: firstly the study of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and secondly of
paratuberculosis. These link well to the research activities of Goal 1 “Improved
diagnosis & controls for endemic bacterial diseases” described, and in addition have
strong policy and end-user relevance.
The Work Package General Objectives for Goal 2 will be:
7. To establish epidemiological models for bacterial endemic diseases
8. To quantify transmission routes for infections
9. To link models to understanding the costs and benefits of control strategies
This Workpackage also incorporates the BioSS research module "Mathematical and
statistical methods for process and systems models". Because the research in this
module is generic in nature, and has wide links across SEERAD's new research
programmes, it is supplied as a free-standing annex 2.
7
2.2 Outcomes. Describe the specific outcomes intended to arise from the proposed work
and explain how these will meet the “Required Outputs” given in the work package
specification. Outcomes could include products and technologies, advice, recommendations,
guidelines, protocols, IP and products, software and technology as well as scientific
knowledge.
The research carried out in this Work Package will meet the following “Required
Outputs”:
1. Improved diagnosis and control of important endemic bacterial diseases of livestock
in Scotland.
1.1. Knowledge that will enable breeding for disease resistance and vaccine
development
1.2. Innate and adaptive immune responses to, and pathogenesis of bacterial
infections
2. Application of functional genomics to understanding pathogen virulence and hostpathogen interactions.
3. Improved understanding of emerging problems
3.1.Co-ordination with Defra’s antimicrobial resistance research programme
3.2. Zoonotic infections (both food and non-food borne) in livestock hosts.
4. Epidemiological studies to inform research and disease control policy and
implementation:
4.1. Understanding patterns of disease and pathogen biology
4.2. Knowledge on the economics of diseases control.
In doing this it will deliver the following outcomes
 Understanding of pathogens and pathogenesis which will enable the
identification of:
o novel diagnostic reagents
o epidemiological markers
o vaccine candidates
o management/husbandry guidance
o consultancies (commercial and end-user)
o IP from the discoveries

Information will be transferred in the form of advice, and recommendations
through a variety of mechanisms described in section 2.4 that will include:
o Workshops, meetings
o web-based data pools
o newsletters
o scientific conferences
o scientific publications
8
2.3 Benefits. Describe and if possible quantify the benefits which may arise from this
research through the application of the intended outcomes described in section 2.2. How will
the results/outcomes be used and who will benefit? The likely policy, socio-economic and
environmental impacts arising from this work should be identified.
Policy level information –
Risk identification
Influence of changing landscapes
Control options
Research priorities
Scientific evidence for –
Research opportunities
The aetiology of disease
Novel vaccine candidates
Novel diagnostic test candidates
Generation of correct type of immunity
Required test standards
Required vaccine efficacy and applications
Evidence of genetic or environmental influences
Industry partners –
Best practice standards/guidance
Evidence base
Cost/benefits of disease control
Demonstration of disease control
Commercialisations:
o new products in biologicals especially vaccines
o new diagnostics
Public good –
Improved productivity
Protection of human health
Improved animal welfare
Environmental protection
Properly implemented research, development and knowledge transfer can deliver
substantial benefits with significant potential for return on investment. The iron
regulated proteins of Mannheimia haemolytica were discovered and patented by MRI
and are now the crucial component of successful commercial Pasteurella vaccines
(Intervet Hepatavac and Bovipast ranges). The animal models developed at MRI have
allowed the successful growth of Moredun Scientific Ltd as a contract research
organisation.
It is also the intention of groups involved in pathogen genomics research at MRI and
SCRI (initially from WP 1.5) to develop a virtual “Centre for Pathogen Functional
Genomics” for cross institute collaboration and resource sharing. There is an expectation
that this will expand to other Scottish Institutes and relevant University microbiology
departments through microbiology pooling (and/or other funding as it arises).
9
2.4 Knowledge and technology transfer. Describe plans for knowledge and technology
transfer. Provide details of mechanisms, routes and timings of and audiences for knowledge
and technology transfer activities. Include brief details of dialogue with end user(s) who
have helped plan/focus the work.
Introduction
The overall objective of the Work Package is to develop and implement sustainable
control measures for endemic bacterial diseases of livestock, including those with
zoonotic potential. Knowledge and technology transfer are essential components of the
research that is intended to change perceptions, attitudes and behaviour. As outlined in
the “Programme for Knowledge Management and Transfer to deliver SEERAD’s
Strategy for Biological Research”, our aims are to:
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To improve knowledge and technology transfer from, and public awareness
of the research.
To provide to SEERAD knowledge that will enable the ongoing development
of policy.
To improve knowledge and technology transfer both within and between the
MRPs.
To create additional opportunities for partnership working between the MRPs
to secure innovative developments in knowledge transfer.
To improve the engagement with our stakeholders and the public ensuring
research, KT and outreach programme are effectively targeted for the future.
This programme identifies three major areas of work: Collaborations/Partnerships; Interinstitutional Knowledge Management; and Knowledge Transfer that are integrated with
each Research Objective.
Collaborations/Partnerships:
WP contributors in all participating institutes are already well-placed with collaborations
and partnerships both within the SABRI-SAC-BioSS network and externally with
universities (e.g. Universities of Glasgow & Edinburgh) and industry (including QMS,
Intervet and Novartis). These and additional inter-institutional collaborations and
partnerships will be further developed to create a network providing critical mass of
science as well as creating synergies and novel approaches to research. This, together
with staff exchanges between institutes, will deliver considerable added value by linkage
to other research funding. Collaborative working will also lead to increased efficiencies
in research and KT outputs and will therefore raise the profile of MRPs and SEERAD
research programme. These linkages also provide the potential to hold regular
workshops and project meetings and potentially international research meetings in key
interdisciplinary areas.
Examples of potential partnership approaches
 joint research programmes and projects
 research networks
 LINK programmes and Faraday partnerships
 post graduate projects and placements
 consultancy projects
10
The SABRI-SAC-BioSS network and other MRPs have great potential for new
collaborations, including partnerships and contract research projects with the animal
health industry through MSL and SAC Commercial.
Inter-institutional Knowledge Management:
Knowledge management is a prerequisite to knowledge transfer. As a result of existing
collaborations and KT activities, a strong network of communication channels exists
between the MRPs in this WP. Through the course of the Programme, these will be
further developed to facilitate data and information relevant to this Work Package is
received, shared and effectively managed between institutes and with customers and
various stakeholder groups. A network of co-ordinated cross institutional consultative
committees will be established where required.
Examples of how MRPs will communicate effectively in this work package
 key staff will take part in regular meetings
 staff will be identified as having management responsibility
 staff involved in knowledge management will receive training in project
management, negotiation and facilitation
 establishment of pan institutional web sites
 sharing of database management systems
 video conferencing
Knowledge Transfer:
Institutes contributing to this WP have well-established mechanisms for knowledge
transfer towards policy makers, end-users (e.g. farmers and veterinarians), the scientific
community, the general public and the commercial industry. This WP will continue to
engage in KT activities that will pass information about the latest research advances to
the people who will benefit from it. For instance, we intend to hold a Scottish biennial
veterinary conference for Knowledge transfer across the animal health, welfare and
livestock sectors. This would involve staff from several divisions of SAC, Moredun
Research Institute; Macaulay Land Research Institute; SEERAD Veterinary Services;
Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow; with veterinary surgeons in practice and the
State Veterinary Service Agency from other parts of the United Kingdom. We will
encourage knowledge transfer by producing regular technical newssheets, attending
agricultural events and conferences, providing articles to numerous farming journals,
involvement in questionnaire surveys, veterinary and public press and by holding farmer
and veterinary events throughout the UK. Web sites are an increasingly invaluable
source of information hence information will also be provided by this means. Steps will
also be taken to engage with policy makers to contribute to decision-making and guide
future developments. In our approach to knowledge transfer we propose to develop a
range of activities. Examples of matched KT activities for each audience are given in
table A.
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Table A – Examples of \matched KT activities with specific audiences
audience
aim
Example of KT activities
Policy makers
increase the flow of communication
between policy makers and implementers
and scientists

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hold an annual research policy conference
produce policy based fact sheets for scientists
produce science highlights for policy makers/implementers
hold regular briefing meetings between policy makers and scientists
establish 'hot links' between policy makers website and MRP websites on key
information
hold science days at MRI specifically for policy makers and implementers
supply general science stories to non scientific/farming/veterinary press


public
Increase public understanding of science
and the profile of science within schools

develop exhibitions targeted for the general public at high profile
science/agricultural events (eg. Science Festival, TechFest, Royal Highland
Show)
host school visits at MRI
Arrange a programme of talks to school children in schools by MRP scientists
work with schools and educational authorities to develop curriculum relevant
science resources for schools
develop a programme of secondment/work placements for science teachers to
MRI
offer CPD events for science teachers
establish work experience placements for students to MRI
develop existing web site to increase the content of public focused scientific
information available
supply general science stories to non scientific/farming/veterinary press
Develop a communication and knowledge transfer centre
establish a network of Partner Participative Centres with the other MRPs

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
Scientific community
Increase communication and collaboration
between MRPs and others involved in
research

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publication of peer reviewed articles in high quality scientific journals
arrange secondments / work exchanges between institutes
MRP scientists will present their work at scientific conferences and events
develop the existing web site to increase the content of scientific information
available
encourage MRP scientists to sit on relevant consultative committees

12
commercial business
to increase commercialisation of MRP
science


To help develop MRP’s competence and
performance
with
regard
to
commercialisation, two initiatives were put
in place in 2004, Genecom Ltd and the
Genomia Fund.

Genecom
Ltd
helps
build
commercialization capacity at MRI and
identify
potential
commercial
opportunities in order to convert research
expertise into practical application.

hold staff workshops/training to increase staff awareness to IP issues
establish a programme IP committee to manage the IP generated by the work
programme
establish a marketing campaign to increase awareness of MRP's science and
commercial opportunities available.
encourage the establishment of spin out companies and commercial
subsidiaries
attain finding for seed corn funding of commercialization projects, with the
support of Genecom
access business support mechanisms and pump priming funds and early stage
investments with the support of Genomia


The Genomia Fund funds business support
mechanisms to allow MRI and SAC to
develop their commercialisation activities.
It supports the assessment of technical
feasibility and market prospects for a
potential product, the proof of concept and
exploitation strategies and the transfer of
technology into a commercial reality.
Farmers/land
industries
based
To transfer the knowledge from the
SEERAD programmes of research
Moredun has a strong regional advisory
committee that currently consists of 36
regional advisors representing 5 UK
regions. These regional advisors are all
farmers and/or work in the land based
industries and the five regional chairmen
report to the main Moredun board, which
meets quarterly. We consult these advisors
regularly to ensure that our KT activities

produce regular animal health articles that appear in the farming and
veterinary press
hold an annual press event for farming and veterinary journalists
offer CPD training for vets
produce technical fact sheets and magazines for those working in the land
based industries
attend high profile farming and agricultural events to engage with this end
user group
hold open days for those working in the land based industries
hold regional animal health meetings and training events throughout the UK
for farmers and vets
develop the existing website to include for farmer focused practical animal







13
remain effective, focused and relevant.
MRI and SAC also consult and regularly
work in partnership with stakeholder
groups and industry bodies (QMS, NFU
Scotland, the Crofters Foundation, Food
Standards Agency, National Sheep
Association, Institute of Meat Wholesalers,
Institute of Auctioneers, various breed
societies, the BVA, Sheep Veterinary
Society etc) to maximise the effectiveness
of our KT activities.
health information
attend and present at land based industry conferences
Encourage scientists to sit on consultative committees


14
2.5 Contribution to cross-cutting themes. Describe how the proposed work will contribute
to the three cross-cutting themes set out in the SEERAD SRG Research Strategy: Responding
to Climate Change; Protecting Biodiversity and Environmental; and Social and Economic
Sustainability of Rural Scotland.
Responding to Climate Change:
WP 2.2 will contribute to this cross-cutting theme (CCT) by interaction with SAC VSG
to monitor changes in bacterial disease incidence and emergence related to climate
changes. The epidemiology components of the Work Package will be continually
assessing the Scottish situation with regard to disease incidence. The generic nature and
potential rapidity of application of modern molecular techniques to emerging problems
are a major benefit of this Work Package to the CCT. There will also be a horizon
scanning element within WP2.2 which will specifically address the CCT on climate
change
Protecting Biodiversity:
The primary targets of the research are cattle and sheep livestock husbandry systems that
mould the Scottish countryside and whose maintenance ensures a variety of habitats and
considerable biodiversity. Production in these extensive systems is generally perceived
as being environmentally beneficial with the possibility of rapid conversion to organic
production. However, changes in Scottish farming systems and consequential ecological
alterations may create opportunities for emergence or introduction of diseases that
directly impact upon our native wildlife species. WP 2.2 will include an element of
horizon scanning to identify changing risks and emerging threats to wildlife.
Additionally, livestock and wildlife populations may share endemic diseases. Thus
knowledge on the survival and transmission of bacterial pathogens such as
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (M.a.paratuberculosis) and
verocytotoxigenic E. coli is equally relevant to wildlife and will influence control
options where there is concern for maintenance of biodiversity. The work of WP 2.2 is a
natural link to WP 3.6.2 (MLURI - Functioning of herbivore dynamics and impacts on
biodiversity) where the study of wildlife populations and bacterial diseases will identify
potential impacts of animal disease on landscapes and environments.
Environmental, Social and Economic sustainability of Rural Scotland:
Scottish agriculture employs some 8 per cent of the rural workforce and is valued at
around £2 billion a year. In rural areas, where the industry is regarded as an integrated
part of the rural economy, the contribution to economic, environmental and social
benefits can be significantly higher. In Scotland, beef production is the largest single
sector of the agriculture industry and in 2003 contributed 25% of gross agricultural
output with the sheep sector contributing 10% of gross output. The poultry sector in
Scotland produces about 135,000 tonnes of meat per year, with a value to the Scottish
economy of ~£90 million. There is also considerable economic benefit from the
ancillary processing, distribution and supply industries. Thus the livestock industries are
important drivers of wealth creation, added value and employment particularly in rural
areas.
Endemic bacterial diseases such as paratuberculosis, pasteurellosis and OEA are a major
constraint on the sustainability and profitability of UK livestock farming (Report of the
National Farmers Union Scotland Conference, Perth, 2004) whilst EHEC remain a
considerable threat to public health.
Disease control in livestock herds and flocks is an essential component of economic
success by increasing financial benefit for individual producers. Animal disease also
impacts on Governments, on international trade, on rural communities, on animal
welfare, on wildlife and human health. Thus there are shared benefits for society through
the control of animal disease and by ensuring our producers deliver high quality produce
and are able to compete on world markets. Existing control measures that depend on
antimicrobials are seen as damaging to the environment and responsible for emerging
anti-microbial resistant pathogens which are a major problem for public health and farm
management systems. Sustainable options for disease control are therefore essential and
holistic approaches require an understanding of the mechanisms by which bacterial
pathogens initiate and cause disease and knowledge of how animals successfully resist
or recover from infections. Increasingly, there is interest in combating enteric disease
through dietary management.
It has been recognised in the AHW Strategy that an important contribution to
maintaining economic sustainability is to understand the costs of disease and the
economic benefits of disease control. WP 2.2 links firmly to the area of work described
in WP 2.5, through SAC’s Epidemiology Unit. One of the major objectives of WP 2.2 is
research to determine the frequency and occurrence of bacterial diseases and that in turn
will improve our understanding of the economic costs of specific bacterial diseases.. It is
also a pre-requisite for establishing priority areas to target. The knowledge will also
support decision making by defining the contribution that improved animal health and
welfare can make to farm business viability.
2.6 Contribution of work package to Programme. Describe how this work package
contributes and adds value to the overall Programme of which the work package is a part. If
applicable, briefly state how the proposed work adds value to other SEERAD programmes.
The overall aim of SEERAD’s Research Programme 2 is to “help Scottish livestock
enterprises deliver high quality primary food products derived from animals that
optimise benefits for human health and are produced in systems that promote the health
and welfare of animals and enhance the environment”. The specific aim of Objective 4
in the SEERAD Research strategy (Strategic Research for SEERAD; Environment,
Biology and Agriculture; 2005-2010) is “To develop and implement sustainable control
measures for endemic diseases of livestock”. These aims are reinforced in the AHWS as
follows: “to improve the health and welfare of animals kept by man, and protect public
health from disease”.
Work Package 2.2 (WP2.2) is part of this objective. The specific focus of the research is
to investigate bacterial infections, including those transmitted between animals and man
(zoonoses), that pose current or potential threats. By implementing collaborative studies
of bacterial pathogens we shall provide new knowledge and evidence to be applied in the
development of control systems that are applicable to, and informative beyond, Scotland.
The Work Package will focus on non-statutory endemic diseases of sheep and cattle,
with a smaller component on poultry diseases.
Endemic bacterial diseases are a major constraint on the sustainability and profitability
of UK livestock farming. Existing control measures depend on antimicrobials, vaccines,
and farm management systems. The research aims will assist in reducing the use of
antimicrobial agents, which are seen as damaging to the environment, and responsible
for anti-microbial resistant pathogens that are major problems for public health and
increasingly in some agricultural areas. Vaccines and farm or dietary management are
more environmentally friendly and sustainable options for disease control. However our
understanding of the mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens initiate and promote
disease in livestock is limited as is our knowledge of how animals successfully resist or
recover from infections and how diseases are transmitted and maintained in the Scottish
environment. This knowledge is necessary to identify the most appropriate and effective
candidates for implementing intervention or management stratagems.
This WP aims to define bacterial, host and environmental determinants of disease which
will lead to further developments for prevention of bacterial disease thus contributing to
protection of human health and improved animal health and welfare. This will in turn
protect the interests of the wider economy and society and secure opportunities for trade.
The work of WP 2.2 will integrate studies of organism pathogenicity, host response to
infection and epidemiology involving MRI, SAC and BioSS. The work will link to that
to be described in WP 2.5 to enable breeding for disease resistance and is inextricably
part of the AHW Strategy priority area to understand the costs of disease and associated
costs and benefits of control. The research will provide outputs targeted at the prevention
of bacterial disease and that contribute to protection of human health and improved
animal health and welfare. The outputs, with those of the other Work Packages in
Programme 2, will deliver healthy products from healthy animals in livestock systems
that are good for producers, the environment and society. These aspirations fit with the
Scottish Animal Health & Welfare Strategy (AHWS) and the stated goals of
Government Departmental sponsors and a range of other funders including Research
Councils, Charities and Industry.
The IP which will arise from these research activities will be exploited through the
identified KT routes to ensure that the “wealth creation” aspirations of the Scottish
Executive are attained and the outputs contribute to a “Smart, Successful Scotland”.
The work additionally supports activity arising as a consequence of the extension of the
European Union’s regulation EC2160/2003 requiring land-based industries to act against
potential zoonoses and food-borne pathogens.