UK Government Boosts Funding to Combat Endemic Diseases in Livestock
Source: The DairyNews
The UK government, continuing its commitment to enhancing animal health and welfare, has announced new funding measures aimed at combating Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) and various health conditions in sheep. The announcement was made by the Prime Minister at the Farm to Fork Summit, marking a significant step in supporting the livestock and dairy sectors, writes National Farmers’ Union (NFU) of England and Wales.
Starting in summer 2024, the funding will be made available with set annual rates for each species. Sheep farmers will receive £639, while cattle farmers without BVD can claim £215. However, for herds affected by BVD, enhanced rates of £837 for beef herds and £1733 for dairy herds have been designated.
This initiative will initially support sheep and beef cattle, with plans to extend assistance to dairy cattle shortly thereafter. The funding will cover a range of support measures including the identification of persistently infected cattle with BVD, veterinary consultations to eradicate endemic diseases, and a biosecurity assessment to help farmers understand and mitigate disease transmission on their farms.
For sheep farmers, the support will provide a flexible package of measures to address specific flock health issues such as lameness and mastitis, in consultation with their veterinary advisors.
Eligibility for this new support requires farmers to participate in the Annual Health and Welfare Review, introduced by Defra in 2023. This review includes an annual vet visit funded up to £436 for sheep, £522 for beef cattle, and £372 for dairy cattle, during which farmers can access vital advice and testing for endemic diseases.
David Barton, Chair of the Livestock Board, expressed his support for the funding, noting the productivity improvements experienced since his herd became BVD-free. He emphasized the need for the new Livestock Information Service to provide disease status at the point of sale, enhancing transparency and informed purchasing decisions.
Vice Chair of the Livestock Board, Oli Lee, also highlighted the importance of strong health protocols in reducing costs and inefficiencies in farming operations. He encouraged farmers to engage with the Annual Health and Welfare Review to fully benefit from the new government support.
This initiative will initially support sheep and beef cattle, with plans to extend assistance to dairy cattle shortly thereafter. The funding will cover a range of support measures including the identification of persistently infected cattle with BVD, veterinary consultations to eradicate endemic diseases, and a biosecurity assessment to help farmers understand and mitigate disease transmission on their farms.
For sheep farmers, the support will provide a flexible package of measures to address specific flock health issues such as lameness and mastitis, in consultation with their veterinary advisors.
Eligibility for this new support requires farmers to participate in the Annual Health and Welfare Review, introduced by Defra in 2023. This review includes an annual vet visit funded up to £436 for sheep, £522 for beef cattle, and £372 for dairy cattle, during which farmers can access vital advice and testing for endemic diseases.
David Barton, Chair of the Livestock Board, expressed his support for the funding, noting the productivity improvements experienced since his herd became BVD-free. He emphasized the need for the new Livestock Information Service to provide disease status at the point of sale, enhancing transparency and informed purchasing decisions.
Vice Chair of the Livestock Board, Oli Lee, also highlighted the importance of strong health protocols in reducing costs and inefficiencies in farming operations. He encouraged farmers to engage with the Annual Health and Welfare Review to fully benefit from the new government support.
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