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New cattle health scheme launches
The CHeCS scheme complements the government’s 25-year plan to eradicate Bovine TB in England.


Scheme recognises farmers who set up biosecurity control measures

A new cattle health scheme to help farmers across England and Wales avoid the effects of bovine TB has launched in Bristol.


The CHeCS bTB Herd Accreditation is a voluntary scheme that evaluates risk and recognises farmers who set up biosecurity control measures.


Run by the Cattle Health Certification Standards (CHeCS), the scheme aims to improve a herd’s ‘score’ every year it is free from a bTB breakdown, awarding a status of 0-10.


It requires the herd vet and cattle owner to work together on following a host of biosecurity measures already implemented in other cattle disease control programmes.


Besides reducing infection risk, the CHeCS says the programme could benefit farmers selling cattle from regions with a high risk of TB, or those who wish to minimise exposure from bought-in animals.


It may also give recognition for a farmer’s efforts to complement government and industry strategies to control infection, they add.


Welcoming the scheme, farming minister George Eustice said: “We know some 40 per cent of herds in the high-risk area in England have never had a breakdown, and the CHeCS scheme will help them to communicate this so they can carry out risk-based trading to support their business.

“The scheme will also recognise those practising good biosecurity, which is a core part of our long-term plan to tackle bovine TB.”

Cabinet secretary, Lesley Griffith continued: “This industry-led initiative aimed at reducing TB is to be welcomed and fits in without principles of working in partnership and promoting the benefits of disease prevention.

“I urge Welsh farmers to engage with the scheme and reduce the risk of disease being introduced into their herd.”

The CHeCS scheme complements the government’s 25-year plan to eradicate Bovine TB in England.


Farmers wishing to take part are advised to discuss joining with their vet before contacting one of the participating CHeCS-accredited health schemes listed at www.checs.co.uk.

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.