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ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE

Version 5.0

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.

This icon indicates that a record is required.

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

B.AH.1 Key

Standards

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

How you will be measured

B.AH.1.a

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

B.AH.1.b

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

B.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.

B.AH.1.d

The plan includes as a minimum: - biosecurity policy - infectious disease inc. BVD - vaccination - parasite control - foot care and lameness management - mastitis - colostrum Policy - husbandry procedures - identifying treated animals - pain relief procedures - dealing with TB reactors - euthanasia

B.AH.1.e

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

Health Plan

B.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

B.AH.1.1.a

Review of records/data taking into account those records maintained throughout the year: Health and Performance Data - Lameness - Mortality Records - Culling rate (and reasons) - Disease - Parasites - Abattoir feedback -- consider industry initiatives e.g. BVDFree England Medicine Usage Data - Medicine administration records - Medicine collation - Antibiotic collation - Review HP-CIA use - Prophylactic treatments - Review cascade use -- make recommendations for alternative strategies and reduction where possible

B.AH.1.1.b

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

B.AH.1.1.c

Provide recommendations for any updates to the Health Plan if required.

Health and performance review

B.AH.1.2

Standards

BVD eradication must be managed as detailed in the herd health plan (upgrade to full standard October 2022).

How you will be measured

B.AH.1.2.a

Plan is being implemented.
  • Health Plan
  • Test results

B.AH.2

Standards

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

How you will be measured

B.AH.2.a

Records include an annual collation of: - lameness - mortality records inc. cause of deaths if known - culling records and reasons for culling - medicine records including reason for treatment - abattoir feedback (where provided and applicable) - parasites e.g. liver fluke - abortion - metabolic diseases - clostridial diseases
  • Farm records
  • Recording tools
  • Mortality Records

B.AH.3

Standards

The nominated vet/vet practice must visit the farm at least annually and see the livestock. (Revised)

B.AH.4 Key

Standards

The health and welfare of livestock must be met at all times.

How you will be measured

B.AH.4.a

Any health or welfare issues have been detected and are being managed.

B.AH.4.b

Unmarketable livestock have their welfare needs met prior to humane euthanasia.

B.AH.5

Standards

The health and welfare of livestock must be checked regularly.

How you will be measured

B.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

B.AH.5.b

Checks made for signs of illness, injury and stress.

B.AH.6 Key

Standards

Livestock must be handled in a way that avoids injury and minimises stress. (Revised)

How you will be measured

B.AH.6.a

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.

B.AH.6.b

No electric goads.

B.AH.6.c

Dogs kept under control.

B.AH.7 Key

Standards

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

How you will be measured

B.AH.7.a

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

B.AH.7.b

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

B.AH.8 Key

Standards

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

How you will be measured

B.AH.8.a

Livestock that are sick from a non-infectious condition or injured are treated either within the group or are moved to segregation facilities.

B.AH.8.b

For an infectious condition, if appropriate, the animal is isolated from the main flock/herd.

B.AH.8.c

If appropriate a vet has been involved.

B.AH.8.1

Standards

Appropriate facilities must be provided for the segregation or isolation of sick or injured livestock.

How you will be measured

B.AH.8.1.a

Segregation facilities for livestock that are sick or injured from a non-infectious condition are available at all times. Facilities can be situated within/close to other livestock housing and in some cases a field may be suitable.

B.AH.8.1.b

Isolation facilities for livestock suffering from an infectious condition are available for use within 3 hours. The facility is capable of cleansing and disinfection, is a building/part of a building that shares no airspace with other livestock housing, does not allow direct contact with any other animal and its drainage prevents contamination of other livestock areas.

B.AH.8.1.c

Facilities are managed and maintained in accordance with scheme standards for housing and facilities, feed and water.

B.AH.9 Key

Standards

Livestock that do not respond to treatment or require emergency euthanasia must be promptly and humanely euthanased by a competent person.

How you will be measured

B.AH.9.a

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

B.AH.9.b

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.

Euthanasia policy

  • AH.1.2 – For finishing only herds this detail could be included in the sourcing policy/biosecurity policy e.g. where possible the BVD status is known or requested
    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
  • AH.8.1 – Rules related to notifiable diseases including TB may go above scheme requirements