The last time I wrote a blog post was in February, when I shared that the first step on the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, the annual health and welfare review of livestock, was being rolled out.
While that initial rollout was an exciting and important moment for the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, it was only the beginning of the story.
In my post, I said that we’d learn lessons from the initial roll out and reflect what we learned in improvements to the service as we go.
We’ve already seen some really important changes take effect since February: from streamlining the application process to changing disease testing protocols.
Today, I want to share another important change: the annual health and welfare review is now open to non-BPS registered farmers. This means more farmers in England can now apply.
Apply today
If you previously met all the other eligibility criteria but were unable to apply because you weren’t eligible for BPS, you can now apply!
All the details of the eligibility criteria are in the updated guidance on GOV.UK.
When you’re ready, you can make an application through the online portal.
All you'll need is your Rural Payments Agency Customer Reference Number (CRN) and password.
Getting your application in won’t take long either, I’ve been told that one farmer got through it in the time it takes to boil the kettle!
Future support through the Pathway
Of course, the Pathway doesn’t stop here. Work is underway to co-design new Infrastructure Grants beyond the hugely popular calf housing grant, as well as developing the next round of the very successful Animal Health and Welfare Equipment and Technology grant.
Alongside that we also have the Pathway’s disease eradication and control programmes, which are well along the development journey. These programmes will offer financial support to address endemic diseases that consistently impact farmers’ bottom lines.
A great way to prepare to take advantage of this support is to have a Review, which includes diagnostic testing for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) in cattle, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in pigs and the effectiveness of worming treatments in sheep.
Get the tests so you know where you stand, at the same time as getting advice from your choice of vet on what the right next steps are for you.
If this all feels like a strong package, that’s because it is! So, for those who haven’t taken their first step on the Pathway yet, I strongly recommend you do.
If, after reading the guidance, you have questions about the Review, leave a comment below. The guidance for vets can be found on GOV.UK.
12 comments
Comment by Kirby Dobson posted on
What do you do for bvd testing if there are no youngstock?
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Kirby,
Thank for your question. Do you mean for the review or the endemics programme?
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Chris Kirby posted on
We did our health and welfare review with the vet in June of this year and submitted all the paperwork in early July but have not received a penny back in grant . We have paid the vet in July and so are out of pocket. Have emailed and telephoned but got nowhere. The last email response did not even have a name on it.
Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on
Hi Chris,
Do I have your permission to contact you using the email address you provided when you left the comment?
Best wishes,
Sarah
Comment by Chris Kirby posted on
Yes please do Sarah
Regards
Chris
Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on
Thanks Chris. I've just sent an email to you and copied in my colleague Paul who works on the Animal Health and Welfare team who'll be able to help us resolve this.
Best wishes,
Sarah
Comment by Carol bell posted on
Hi I have just done our cattle end October 2 went for further testing it was suggested we tested all our cattle all tests were negative the bill was over 1000.00 and I have not received any money back
Please be warned this is a money making racket for the vets
Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on
Hi Carol,
Do I have your permission to contact you using the email address you provided when you left the comment?
Best wishes,
Sarah
Comment by josephine Child posted on
How do you apply as non-BPS claimant without a CRN, or alternatively how can you get a CRN if you haven't previously had one?
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Josephine,
Give Defra rural services helpline a call: 03000 200 301
Alternatively, you can email the RPA: ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Carol bell posted on
Hi Sarah yes you can contact me thankyou
Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on
Great - I've just emailed.
Best wishes,
Sarah