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ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE

Version 5.0 (streamlined)

Click to view all ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE

Key – Those standards which have greater significance (all other standards are normal)

Recommendation – Those which do not affect certification

New – A completely new standard which the member must now adhere to

Revised – A standard that has changed and requires the member to take some different or additional action to before

Upgraded – The standard has been upgraded to a Key standard or from a Recommendation to a full standard

Appendix – Referenced in ‘How you will be measured’. Indicates that additional information is provided in the Appendices, which are available at the end of each section.

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Where to find help – at the end of each section we have indicated where you can get extra guidance if you need it.

Aim:

ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE

DR.AH.1 Key

Standards

A written Health Plan must be established and implemented (Revised)

How you will be measured

DR.AH.1.a

The plan is signed, dated and reviewed annually by the vet

DR.AH.1.b

The plan is farm specific and updated as and when changes occur

DR.AH.1.c

The plan makes reference to those responsible for livestock and other relevant persons e.g. nutritionist, foot trimmer, shearer, nominated vet or nominated vet practice

DR.AH.1.d

The dated plan includes as a minimum: - biosecurity policy - infectious disease inc. BVD and Johnes - vaccination - parasite control - foot care and lameness management - mastitis - metabolic disorders - management of drying off - Colostrum policy - husbandry procedures - identifying treated animals - pain relief procedures - dealing with TB reactors - downer cows - protocol for use of shackles/hobbles - euthanasia

DR.AH.1.e

Plan is easily accessible to all persons involved in the care and management of the stock

DR.AH.1.f

Health plan covers management of beef cattle and sheep where applicable.

Health Plan

DR.AH.1.1

Standards

A written annual livestock health and performance review must be undertaken by the nominated vet or a vet from the nominated vet practice (Revised)

How you will be measured

DR.AH.1.1.a

Review of records/data taking into account those records maintained throughout the year: Health and Performance Data - lameness (clinical cases, non-routine trimmings and treatments) - mortality records (for all classes of stock) - culling records and reasons for culling (planned culls sent to abattoir that would not show as on-farm deaths or TB reactors) - involuntary culls (excluding TB reactors) - mastitis (clinical cases, treatments, cell counts) - disease - parasites -- consider industry initiatives e.g. BVD Free England Medicine Usage Data - medicine administration records - medicine collation - antibiotic collation - review use of HP-CIAs - prophylactic treatments - review cascade use -- make recommendations for alternative strategies and reduction where possible

DR.AH.1.1.b

The review is signed and dated by the nominated vet or vet from the nominated vet practice

DR.AH.1.1.c

Provide recommendations for any updates to the Health Plan if required

Health and performance review

DR.AH.1.2

Standards

BVD eradication must be managed as detailed in the herd health plan (upgraded)

How you will be measured

DR.AH.1.2.a

Plan is being implemented
  • Health Plan
  • Test results

DR.AH.1.3

Standards

Johne’s disease must be managed through the implementation of the National Johne’s Plan.

How you will be measured

DR.AH.1.3.a

The appropriate strategy is identified through a discussion with a BCVA or NI JMP accredited Johne’s Veterinary Advisor

DR.AH.1.3.b

Johne’s Management Plan Declaration completed and signed by Accredited Johne’s Veterinary Advisor* *Accredited under the appropriate national scheme

DR.AH.2

Standards

Records of the health and performance of livestock must be maintained (Revised)

How you will be measured

DR.AH.2.a

Records include an annual collation of: - lameness (clinical cases, non-routine trimmings and treatments, medications) - mastitis (clinical cases, treatments, medications, somatic cell counts) - mortality records (for all classes of stock) - culling records and reasons for culling (planned culls sent to abattoir that would not show as on-farm deaths or TB reactors) - medicine records including reason for treatment - abattoir feedback (where provided and applicable)
  • Farm records

– Recording tools
– Mortality Records

DR.AH.2.1

Standards

Annual collation of calf births/deaths must be maintained (New)

How you will be measured

DR.AH.2.1.a

Annual figures to be entered into yearly vet review. - number of cows calved - number of calves born dead or die <24 hours old - number of calves die >1 and <42 days old - number of calves sold off farm <42 days (including those under TB orders)

DR.AH.2.1.b

Trends to be observed and actions arising noted in health plan.

DR.AH.3

Standards

The nominated vet/vet practice must visit the farm at least annually and see the livestock to check for signs of disease (Revised)

DR.AH.5

Standards

The health and welfare of livestock must be checked regularly for signs of illness, injury and stress

How you will be measured

DR.AH.5.a

Livestock checks as follows: - at least minimum daily checks for livestock outside, twice daily inside - increased checks for newborns and those about to give birth - flock inspection frequency in extensive, upland areas appropriate to need

DR.AH.6 Key

Standards

Livestock are handled in a manner without frightening and excessive force and not in a way to cause pain and suffering
Refer to Red Tractor Appendix for definition of unacceptable behaviour with regards to livestock handling.

How you will be measured

DR.AH.6.b

No electric goads or electrified backing gates used

DR.AH.6.c

Dogs kept under control

DR.AH.7 Key

Standards

All persons looking after the health and welfare of livestock must be demonstrably competent

How you will be measured

DR.AH.7.a

All personnel have skills and knowledge in animal husbandry and are aware of unacceptable behaviours

DR.AH.7.b

The member can demonstrate they are confident that any contractors used e.g. foot trimmers, shearers, AI technicians are competent

DR.AH.8 Key

Standards

Sick or injured livestock must receive prompt attention in order that suffering is not prolonged

How you will be measured

DR.AH.8.a

There is evidence of systems in place to ensure sick and injured livestock are identified and managed appropriately. Where required they are promptly treated and/or moved to segregation facilities or humanely euthanased

DR.AH.8.b

If appropriate the vet has been involved

DR.AH.8.c

Evidence in health plan that euthanasia is carried out by a competent person using acceptable methods

DR.AH.8.d

The competent person is available to production sites as soon as possible (normally within 60 minute drive) in order to deal with emergency cases promptly and prevent unnecessary suffering

DR.AH.8.e

Lame cows identified, treated and managed in accordance with the Herd Health Plan.

Euthanasia policy

DR.AH.8.1

Standards

Appropriate facilities must be provided for the segregation of sick and injured livestock, that are managed and maintained in accordance with scheme standards for housing and facilities, feed and water

  • AH.1.2 – Management of the breeding herd may include:
    – vaccination
    – tag and test all calves
    – blood sampling to determine status of herd
    – milk sampling to determine presence of disease
    – removal of PI animals from the herd