Vets supporting livestock farmers

Vets play a key role in helping livestock farmers care for their animals. In over 18 years of farm animal practice I recognise how critical the working relationship between farmer and vet is.

The importance of vets in animal husbandry

Veterinary surgeons are uniquely placed to advise and influence sustainable animal husbandry practices, safeguarding animal health and welfare and influencing future sustainable efficient livestock and food production. The involvement of the veterinary profession within agricultural policy will be vital to all aspects of policy development, review, and implementation. BVA and BVA Scottish Branch are well placed to support the Scottish Government in this regard.

The relationship between a farmer and their vet is paramount when it comes to any effort to improve animal health and welfare outcomes. The new agricultural policy in Scotland offers an opportunity to harness the power of this relationship and empower farmers and vets to collaborate to realise positive outcomes on farm.

Changes to Quality Meat Scotland's farm health plan

An important demonstration of the close working relationship between vet and farmer is in the development and ongoing management of a dynamic Farm Health Plan. This is an integral element to the Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) Cattle and Sheep Farm assurance standards. QMS is a public body of the Scottish Government which promotes the red meat sector and markets the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb brands. Every farm that produces Scotch Beef PGI or Lamb PGI is required to have a plan in place. QMS have produced a suite of resources to help farmers and vets understand the changes to dispensations and outline what is expected of both professions in devising the plans. The resources include an FAQ document and a QMS Health Plan Review template.

On the 31 March 2023 certain health plan dispensations, including annual veterinary visit and health plan review, were ended. This decision was influenced by incoming changes to European export health certificates, so that from the 13 December 2023 these will require a veterinary attestation to qualify. This does not mean that anyone who does not have their annual health plan signed off by a vet is non-compliant on 1 April, rather it means that from 1 April all members, prior to their next assessment, must have their vet sign off their health plans and annual livestock health and performance review.

Why the annual review matters

The annual vet review is the perfect opportunity to review antibiotic use on the farm and to develop a more responsible approach to antibiotic stewardship. Pressure is being brought to bear on common areas of misuse of antibiotics in livestock, and vets are the only professionals with the knowledge and experience to have an impact at farm level, whilst maintaining animal welfare and productivity. These changes will require more engagement with farmers, and I encourage BVA Scottish Branch members who work with farmers to familiarise themselves with the changes and the increased role they will play as vets in the process of developing and reviewing Animal Health Plans.

A strong working relationship between farmer and vet is incredibly important in ensuring we maintain our high animal health and welfare standards as well as the high quality of the meat produced. We already have a firm foundation for this in Scotland and the recent changes in health plans and dispensations provide a perfect opportunity for both industries to further develop those cross-industry links.