The AHWP is a new government initiative aiming to push forward and support the gradual and continual improvement in farm animal health and welfare. The Pathway is a partnership, the government will work together on each step with farmers, vets, the wider industry, and the supply chain.
The pathway has 4 funding pathways with the aim to deliver health and welfare priorities, providing funding for high-quality veterinary advice, capital investment and ongoing costs.
- Annual Health and Welfare Review
- Animal Health and Welfare capital grants
- Disease eradication and control programs
- Payment-by-results (to be confirmed)
Animal health and welfare review
What is it?
The Annual Health and Welfare Review is a funded annual visit from your vet of choice, this is separate from your Red Tractor Annual Health Review and cannot be used to fund this
It can be undertaken whenever it works for you.
It will allow us to concentrate on your animals’ specific health and welfare priorities
During the visit, we will provide you with bespoke advice and we have to carry out some diagnostic testing around endemic diseases
For the first year the testing must be for BVD in cattle and worm egg counts in sheep
If you have multiple different species then you can have a separate review for each
Payment rates
The payment rates, that include the cost of yours, the vet’s time and the diagnostic testing have been agreed at:
£684 for pigs
£436 for sheep
£522 for beef cattle
£372 for dairy cattle
We will charge you for our services as normal and you will be paid directly by the APHA. The difference in the species rates is down to the cost of carrying out the diagnostic tests. Bulk milk BVD compared to youngstock blood antibody screening.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible to apply you must have one of the following:
11 or more beef cattle
11 or more dairy cattle
21 or more sheep
51 or more pigs
The livestock must be registered in England and you must be responsible for their welfare.
It is initially only opening to farmers who are either eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) or anticipating making a BPS claim in 2023.
How do I apply?
https://apply-for-an-annual-health-and-welfare-review.defra.gov.uk/apply...
You will need:
Single business identifier number of the business registering
Customer reference number
Main email address linked to your business in the rural payments service
The review must be completed within 6 months of the registered start date
Contact us once registered and you have your Agreement Number to arrange a visit
If you have any queries, please get in touch
Calf Housing for Health and Welfare grant
In 2023, grants to build new or refurbish existing calf housing will be made available for the beef and dairy sectors. The grant aims to improve the health and welfare of calves (up to 6 months old) by providing a good ambient environment and facilitating social contact through pair or group housing.
The grant will be competitive, so the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will prioritise calf housing projects that have the biggest impact on animal health and welfare and have considered innovation and environmental outcomes. You can apply for grants of between £15,000 and £500,000.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/calf-housing-for-health-and-w...