Government Expands Funding for Livestock Farmers with Multi-Herd and Multi-Species Vet Visits

Strategic Insights -

The UK Government has announced the expansion of its Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, providing funded vet visits for multiple herds or flocks belonging to the same farming business. This move is aimed at supporting better health and profitability within the sector. The program allows eligible farmers to access tailored support for each herd or flock, including monitoring and treatment of diseases such as Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) in cattle and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in pigs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The expansion of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway provides farmers with a more comprehensive understanding of livestock health on farms with multiple groups of animals, including mixed holdings and larger farms with many groups of a single species.
  • Since funded vet visits began in 2023, there have been over 8,000 visits, benefiting hundreds of thousands of animals, with over 95% of farmers reporting that they have or will take action based on the advice of their vet.
  • The strong uptake and implementation of the advice support increased disease resilience, resulting in healthier animals, greater food security, and boosted farmers' profits.
  • The application for the program is quick, taking less than 90 seconds to apply and less than 3 minutes to claim for the funding.
  • Eligible farmers can access tailored support for each herd or flock, including monitoring and treatment of diseases such as BVD in cattle and PRRS in pigs.
  • The new multi-flock and herd option will allow farmers to receive funding for a review and follow-up assessment for each flock and species on the farm, all through one agreement.
  • Livestock farmers, including those with beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, or pigs, can apply for a vet of their choice to assess all their herds and flocks as well as an optional, funded, follow-up assessment.

Statistics:

  • Over 8,000 funded vet visits have taken place since the program began in 2023.
  • Hundreds of thousands of animals have benefited from the program.
  • Over 95% of farmers have reported that they have or will take action based on the advice of their vet.
  • The program aims to support increased disease resilience, resulting in healthier animals, greater food security, and boosted farmers' profits.
  • The application process takes less than 90 seconds to apply and less than 3 minutes to claim for the funding.

Sources:

  • [UK Government, 26th June] (no publication date provided)
  • Bryan and Liz Griffiths, Livestock farmers in North Devon (no date provided)