0
Environment Secretary George Eustice has outlined the plans for the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway – a programme of financial support for farmers in the pig, cattle, sheep and poultry sectors, based around key animal health and welfare priorities.
As part of the Pathway, the Government will offer pig farmers who are eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme funding for an annual visit from a vet of their choice to carry out diagnostic testing, review biosecurity and responsible use of medicines, and provide advice relating to the health and welfare of their animals.
The Pathway will also include a disease eradication and control programme allowing farmers to apply for financial support to enable them to take measures to prevent and reduce endemic diseases affecting livestock such as veterinary advice, vaccination, or improvements to on-farm management.
The government plans to trial a payment by results programme. This would mean rewarding farmers who can demonstrate high animal health and welfare outcomes, such as those such as those who provide their animals ample space and enrichment so they can better express their natural behaviours.
For pigs, the priorities of the Pathway are to:
- improve biosecurity to control endemic pig diseases and help prevent the introduction of exotic disease threats
- tackle PRRS virus which costs the industry an estimated £52 million per year and increases antibiotic use
- reduce sow confinement during farrowing by supporting producers in shifting to less confined alternatives for the sow, whilst ensuring the welfare of her piglets and the safety of workers. Potential reforms are also being explored around the use of farrowing crates.
- reduce stressors to keep tails intact: support farmers in addressing the underlying causes of high stress levels in pigs which trigger tail biting
February 22, 2022/ UK Government/ United Kingdom.
https://www.gov.uk
