Wicklow farmers sought for sheep worrying survey
Sheep farmers in Co. Wicklow are being sought to take part in a confidential survey on sheep worrying.
Both those who have experienced the problem, and those who have not, are encouraged to take part.
The survey, ‘Sheep Worrying in Wicklow’, is being carried out by University College Dublin (UCD) and is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
Dr. Locksley Messam, lecturer in veterinary epidemiology at the School of Veterinary Medicine, UCD, told Agriland that the survey has three purposes:
- To document the frequency of sheep worrying in Co. Wicklow;
- To record the experiences of Co. Wicklow sheep farmers and their perspectives on the problem;
- To document the views of farmers on how the frequency of sheep worrying might be reduced.
Dr. Messam believes sheep worrying is a "serious problem".
He explained: “While there is a sheep welfare problem when this occurs, I am concerned because of the impact it has on sheep farmers.
“I have conducted interviews and, in broad strokes, I understand it impacts farmers’ welfare.”
The professor added that there are also economic consequences of sheep worrying in terms of loss of sheep, and in diminished sheep production.
Dr. Messam described sheep worrying as a problem that “has not been given much attention” but that is “preventable”.
Taking part
The survey, carried out both online and in person, is already underway.
“We are in the process of collecting data,” Dr. Messam said.
“Weekly, we collect data at four sheep marts – Baltinglass, Carnew, Blessington and Tullow.
“We also have data collectors at Tirlán co-op on Tuesdays, and they perform face-to-face interviews with farmers.”
Dr. Messam said that the interviews take no longer than five to seven minutes, are confidential, and involve “no names or addresses”.
For the study, he hopes to interview both sheep farmers who have experienced sheep worrying and those that have not experienced the problem “recently or at all”.
“This latter group is very important because they provide information about sheep farms that don’t experience the problem.
“This is important information to have for any discussion on prevention," he said.
The results of the study will be shared with DAFM.
Dr. Messam added: “I am hoping that it will pave the way for more extensive investigations of the problem in the 26 counties.”
Participants must be sheep farmers, resident in Co. Wicklow, and over 18 years-of-age.
One participant is surveyed per household but the survey can be done jointly by household members. This is allowed to facilitate older farmers who might have difficulty participating online.
Farmers that would like to take part can search for ‘UCD sheep worrying survey’.
The survey closes at midnight on August 31, 2026.
