Originally from: Farmtalking
                        
I found the copy posts from Ron very interesting especially the latter which explains the start of Shetland sheep testing on the island.

I have no doubt that to be able to 'breed out' any inherited fault is a benefit in all animals, whether that be something serious such as a ghastly disease or perhaps considered more minor such as malformed teeth.

Nevertheless it is essential that the cause of any of them be established as 'inherited' and not caused by an alternative such as environmental conditions, diet etc.

It is so easy to jump to conclusions or even take on board and firmly believe oft repeated opinions and treat them as absolute fact.

Over the past few years I have found my own opinions changing as I learnt to look at things from a different perspective and I realise they may well change again in the future!

There is one thing I bear in mind, which may seem simple but is certainly worth considering.

Animals, humans and all aspects of nature have evolved over many thousands of years. They will have come across changes in environment and adapted to cope with them. Even in our own lives, in a very short time by comparison, many of us have had to adapt to different situations and environments and have done so remarkably successfully in spite of the difficulties we faced.

To make important decisions, even with the best of intentions, without first seeking the facts and considering the consequences as fully as possible, is very foolish and often lands us in deep trouble.

As regards the NSP, I feel it may well be very sensible to test animals but to decide to slaughter those that don't come up to what is believed to be the required standard, may well turn out to be 'throwing the baby out with the bath water!'

Before we do such a silly thing we need to know much more!

I remember that including a number of Shetland sheep the largest registered pedigree flock of Wensleydales was slaughtered during FMD in 2001. None were infected and I understand all were R1! If that is true it serves to illustrate how very rash and stupid we can be at times!

For those of us who are willing to admit we are unsure, to condemn the NSP in total is just as stupid as to believe that it is the answer to all our problems! It isn't – but it may help us to add another piece to the jigsaw and discover the true origins/cause of scrapie.

I don’t know very much about a lot of things, but I do know that I love the Shetland sheep that belong to my friend, they’re so very friendly! As well as all the lovely and varied colours they are – whatever they may be called! – and the wonderful fleeces they produce. To lose any of them would be a tragedy.

I hope that some more relevant info will be posted to this message board as time goes by so that others and I will end up learning and understanding a whole lot more and perhaps no decisions will be made until the true facts are known.

Perhaps David Trotter will join our message board? He'll be very welcome and I'm sure could teach us a lot too!