PARASCOPE

Smarter parasite control, designed with farmers

Parasites cost Irish livestock farms an estimated €181 million every year, and growing resistance to treatments means this problem is becoming harder to manage.

At the same time, new regulations are changing how treatments can be used. This creates a clear need for better, more sustainable ways to control parasites, built around how farms operate. PARASCOPE is designed to meet that need.

What is PARASCOPE?

    PARASCOPE is an EIP-Agri innovation project that brings together farmers, vets, advisors, researchers, and industry partners to develop a practical, risk-based approach to parasite control for cattle and sheep.

    Instead of one-size-fits-all advice, the focus is on solutions that are:

    • Practical
    • Farm-specific
    • Easy to use
    • Grounded in real data

    What makes it different?

      The project is built on a simple idea: the best solutions come from working directly with the people who use them.

      Farmers and vets work together to:

      • Assess parasite risk on individual farms
      • Make informed decisions
      • Reduce unnecessary treatments
      • Improve animal performance

      What are we doing?

        Over the course of the project, PARASCOPE will:

        • Work with a diverse group of beef and sheep farmers
        • Develop Risk Assessment Frameworks (RAFs) for cattle and sheep
        • Co-design farm-level parasite control plans
        • Test practical tools, including targeted selective treatment, EID, and pasture monitoring
        • Build and refine a digital prototype for farmers and vets
        • Share results through farm walks, workshops, and case studies

        Why it matters?

          For Farmers

          • Use treatments only when needed
          • Reduce costs and improve performance
          • Get clear guidance that fits the farm

          For Vets

          • Support evidence-based prescribing and compliance
          • Strengthen collaboration with farmers
          • Integrate parasite control into herd health planning

          For the environment

          • Reduce residues in soil and water
          • Protect biodiversity and soil function

          For animal welfare

          • Lower parasite burdens
          • Healthier, more productive animals

          The Operational Group

            PARASCOPE is delivered by a multidisciplinary operational group. This team brings together expertise in parasitology, behavioural science, digital innovation, herd health, epidemiology, and farmer engagement.

            Get Involved

              The Project

              PARASCOPE will share updates, case studies, and educational materials throughout the project.Farmers, vets, advisors, and industry partners interested in sustainable parasite control are encouraged to follow the project as it develops.

              Project Lead

              Dr. Nikki Walshe

              University of Limerick

              Email: Nikki.walshe@ul.ie

              Project manager

              Dr Josefin Jansson

              University of Limerick

              Email: Josefin.jansson@ul.ie