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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 14th February 2023
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New Scottish farm payment scheme announced
The new farm payment scheme aims to improve the health and welfare of Scottish sheep and cattle.
 
The scheme aims to improve the health of Scottish livestock.

The British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) Scottish Branch has expressed support for a new farm payment scheme that will aim to improve the health and welfare of Scottish sheep and cattle.
 
Scottish farmers and crofters will be able to claim the new £250 payment from summer 2023 for veterinary health and welfare interventions, such as screening for certain diseases.
 
The scheme was announced by Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon on 10 February, ahead of the National Farmers Union Scotland annual general meeting. It is part of the Scottish Government’s post-Brexit future framework for sustainable agriculture.
 
Research has shown that healthy cattle and sheep produce less emissions and require less veterinary treatment and fewer antibiotics. All of which contribute to a more sustainable and regenerative agriculture sector.
 
BVA branch president Romain Pizzi welcomed the announcement and said: “The Scottish Government’s new farm payment scheme will support better livestock health and welfare in Scotland and provide welcome opportunities for vets to further engage with farmers and crofters rearing sheep and cattle. 

“BVA would like to see the vet-farmer relationship embedded as the cornerstone in Scotland’s permanent future farming policy, to help deliver improved animal health and welfare, productivity, and sustainability goals.”

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.