Members in England can now apply for multiple government-funded vet visits through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway when they have distinct flocks and herds within the same business.
Under previous arrangements, mixed livestock farms could only apply for Pathway, the review and the endemics programme, for one sheep flock or cattle herd, but now a farmer with two or more distinct flocks, or a mixed sheep and a cattle farm can have a vet visit to cover both species and multiple distinct sheep flocks, bringing significant efficiencies and more meaningful funding support.
The change should mean that Pathway is much more accessible and effective for both mixed livestock farms and those with multiple flocks or herds on their farms. Ultimately, someone with multiple flocks or herds can claim multiple health and welfare reviews and endemic disease testing funding.
Society chief executive John Yates said English members should look carefully at the opportunity offered by the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway to improve flock health and welfare with the support of government funding.