Cattle Health Report is an industry must-read

The cross-industry initiative, Cattle Health and Welfare Group (CHAWG), has released its first annual report.

The report, which has been very well-received, gives a realistic overview of cattle health and welfare in Great Britain. It focuses on the industry's main challenges, such as mastitis, nutrition and infectious diseases.

Members of CHAWG include the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA), the National Farmers' Union (NFU), and the RSPCA, amongst other high-profile organisations.

British Veterinary Association (BVA) president, Carl Padgett, commented: "This is an excellent report - it's basically a GB-wide state of the nation for cattle health and welfare, which is what we've been after for a very long time."

CHAWG have used data from DEFRA, and bodies from the devolved governments, as well as studies from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and others to produce the report. However, many believe these sources should be extended.

BCVA vice president, Jonathan Statham, said that though the report is a great example of industry cooperation, there are a number of vets that could contribute additional data from farm level.

This view was supported by Christianne Glossop, CVO for Wales: "To ensure the free movement of healthy cattle, it is important farmers and vets have the best information," she said.