Farm Health Planning: AHWS England Implementation Plan
Farm Health Planning (FHP) is a “key initiative” under the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy (AHWS) for Great Britain putting into action the strategy theme of “promoting the benefits of animal health and welfare: prevention is better than cure.” FHP is a proactive way to help prevent disease and improve livestock performance by making animal keepers work closely with vets or other adviser to set targets for health and welfare and to measure, manage and monitor productivity.
Defra is working in partnership with industry to encourage greater uptake of proactive FHP which is industry-led and self-sustaining. By helping industry develop its own tools, and make a persuasive case for the benefits of FHP, the partnership aims for a longer-term culture change where FHP becomes a routine and sustainable feature of livestock management.
Defra has funded many sector-specific initiatives to promote FHP. While each sector has developed its own approach, a common theme is helping farmers and advisers work together to put FHP into practice. This had included the development of case studies, advocates and communications about FHP, more widely, by bringing people together and giving them the opportunity to share their experiences.
The Cattle Initiative includes 27 interlinked projects in the dairy and beef sectors using partnership working to widen awareness of the costs and benefits of FHP. The projects are using FHP tools developed for industry and building a network of FHP champions.
The Sheep Initiative is a communications campaign to encourages farmers to contact a vet or adviser to go through a three stage process: measuring existing performance; managing the FHP process; and monitoring ongoing progress adapting health plans in the light of experience. Information leaflets and press features have been published along with a yearly sheep planner/diary recording system.
Under the Pig Initiative, Defra has funded a pilot project to develop, test and implement a web-based pig farm health plan. Defra is also funding a BPEX-run research project to establish 21 vet-led producer self-help groups to look at elements of the FHP process, especially the value to producers of understanding the different kinds of information available to them on the disease status of their animals. The British Pig Association also ran regional workshops to see how FHP can be used by the small-scale/hobby pig keepers.
During 2008, sectors will continue communicating to increase awareness of the benefits of FHP. Farmers will be given opportunities to see how FHP could work for them, through the promotion of tools and other core information, or by participating in initiatives.
Defra will help the industry take the lead in delivering key messages and providing practical opportunities to support farmers on the ground.
Key actions for the Defra-industry partnership in 2008 include:
- completion of the sector-specific initiatives;
- promotion of FHP at the Dairy and Livestock Event 2008 (in September);
- the monitoring and evaluation of FHP uptake; and
the use of veterinary and farmer champions to promote the benefits of FHP.
See also
Page last modified: 25 March 2008