Animal Health and Welfare payments soon to commence in England

The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway is part of the government’s Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme and was co-designed by vets, farmers, industry specialists and Defra to improve the health and welfare of farm animals. The initiative will provide funding to the cattle, sheep, pig, and poultry sectors with the aim of taking national herd and flock health to the next level.

Fran Edmunds, head of animal welfare schemes and labelling at Defra, outlined the four programmes through which funding will be delivered to farmers in aid of improving animal health and welfare:

1. Animal Health and Welfare Review: Launching in autumn 2022, the programme will fund a vet consultation of up to three hours to discuss animal health and welfare issues on farm. Farmers will be paid a compensation of £372, which could include diagnostic testing or advice on the use of medicines, for example.

2. Animal Health and Welfare Grants: From 2023, funding will be available to cover equipment, technology, and infrastructure costs that promote health and welfare priorities. Dairy farmers could use the grants to improve aspects such as ventilation, housing, cow comfort or cow tracks on their farm.

3. Disease eradication and control programmes: Starting in 2023, there will be funding available to support diagnostic testing and vaccination programmes. 

4. Payment by results: This programme will be introduced by 2025, with the government starting trials next year. The focus would be on supporting farmers who want to further improve the lameness of their cattle. Funding will be provided to those who are able to show markedly improved health and welfare in their herds.

The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway uses a multifaceted approach to improving the general health and well-being of livestock, with financial reward being one of its main pillars. According to Defra, promoting better stockmanship on farms will be an overarching priority across all sectors.

As for the dairy industry, the pathway’s main priorities are:

• BVD eradication and control
• Improving lameness and mastitis rates
• Upgrading housing and improving health and welfare at pasture.

Funding for farmers to conduct a biosecurity assessment with a focus on BVD will be available from 2023. Following assessments, farmers will receive follow-up advice from their vet or animal health professional to help them plan the most appropriate action.

To view the pathway’s priorities for each sector as outlined by Defra, visit: https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2022/02/22/our-priorities-for-the-animal-health-and-welfare-pathway/