Treatment strategies for sheep scab: an economic model of farmer behaviour

摘要: Ovine psoroptic mange (sheep scab) is a debilitating and damaging condition caused by hypersensitivity reaction to the faecal material of parasitic mite Psoroptes ovis. Farmers incur costs from use prophylactic acaricides and, if their sheep become infected, they therapeutic treatment plus economic loss reduced stock growth, lower reproductive rate, wool hide damage. The unwillingness farmers routine has been cited as primary cause growing incidence scab in United Kingdom (UK) since disease was deregulated 1992. However, behave rationally an perspective, optimum strategy that should adopt will depend on risk infection relative versus treatment, potential losses. This calculation also complicated fact increased neighbours have treat prophylactically. Hence, for any farmer, approach contingent behaviour neighbours, particularly when common grazing used. Here, different strategies are calculated upland lowland game theory model used evaluate farmer his/her neighbour under scenarios. analysis shows prophylaxis with organophosphate (OP) dipping cost effective strategy, but only where high. In all other circumstances not reliance reactive (therapeutic) treatment. adopting policy only, behaving economically rational manner. Prophylaxis cooperation considerably higher than current national average, or lower. Should makers wish reduce prevalence scab, incentives such subsidising rigorously applied financial penalties, would be required make appealing individual farmers. options own infrastructure implementation central government.