Animal health cash incentive
LIVESTOCK producers in Scotland who sign up to the Animal Health and Welfare Programme option within Land Management Contracts will have a range of animal health measures open to them, Farmers Weekly has learned.
Under the programme, producers will have to undertake two compulsory options, which can then be topped up with a further four voluntary options, said Scotland’s chief vet Charles Milne.
“Improving animal health and welfare through the programme should help build on the existing quality image of Scottish produce. Furthermore, it should lead to improved profits and more sustainable livestock businesses.”
The first compulsory element of the programme is an audit to identify disease problems and put in place treatment plans.
This should be done in collaboration with the farm’s vet, and treatment should be undertaken on a risk basis, with the most prevalent and costly conditions tackled first.
Secondary to this will be a plan for the routine use of vaccines and routine medications. Payment for this compulsory element will be up to 220 depending on stock numbers. This compulsory phase of the programme must be completed by Dec 1, 2005.
Producers wanting to participate will have to select the Animal Health and Welfare Programme when they submit their single farm payment application.
Claims under the voluntary section of the programme must be submitted between early January and late March 2006.
Option one
Producers will be able to take part in a benchmarking programme for disease levels. Disease data will be recorded by vets on a central database which producers will then be able to access and use to compare with their own performance.
Payment worth up to £320 a year.
Option two
A one-off payment will be available for a biosecurity plan, while an annual payment is available for fencing to implement or maintain quarantine areas for incoming stock.
One-off payment £30. Annual payment up to £300.
Option three
Producers will be able to claim a payment towards sampling to investigate disease for diagnostic purposes. Payment £155 a year.
Option four
A payment will be made to farmers who make use of forage analysis to identify deficiencies which can predispose animals to disease or lead to other problems. This option can only be used once in the programme”s five-year lifespan.
Payment £110.