Introduction

The assurance of herd health and welfare requires the presence of a Herd Health Plan. This written document is a properly prepared plan of preventative healthcare and protocols as well as a recording system to monitor herd health and welfare. The records must chronicle the incidence of specific health conditions and reflect prevalence by assessing progress of each condition over time. A working health plan provides the assurance that health and welfare are being monitored and addressed on an assured farm, with specific protocols and records reviewed at least annually for routine and preventative care.

The health plan can be created using models or templates provided by various agencies, or even from scratch using the specification laid down in the standards. The plan must be created and structured for each individual farm. Although it is not an absolute requirement it is recommended, that the plan is discussed and agreed with a veterinary surgeon.

The BCVA provide templates for the creation and maintenance of farm specific health plans that comply with the requirements of NDFAS (BCVA website: British Cattle Veterinary Association ). These health plans can be identified by the presence of the BCVA logo and the name of the issuing veterinary practice on each page of the plan. Compliance with NDFAS standards is indicated by the presence of a signed Certificate of Conformity.

A certified BCVA Herd Health Plan embraces the protocols A to L outlined in Section 5.1 below and may also contain additional procedures and sections beyond the specific requirements of NDFAS. The presence of a signed and dated BCVA Certificate of Conformity will obviate the need for the assessment of the individual protocols A to L.

If a BCVA Certificate of Conformity is not available, or is dated such that it is no longer valid, the assessor must assess the health plan against the NDFAS requirements in its entirety to ensure that the plan is compliant.

5.1 The Herd Health Plan

MUST CRITERIA

• There must be a written herd health plan present on the farm that is available to all farm staff who have responsibility for the animals, and which fully complies with the requirements of the scheme.

Components of the Herd Health Plan

A) Protocols for routine foot-care, including responsibility for foot-care, examination and trimming, and actions to be taken for the treatment of lame cows.

B) A mastitis action plan to prevent and control mastitis in the herd, including methods for detection and treatment protocols for clinical cases, and procedures for drying off.

C) An infectious disease and vaccination plan with details of any vaccines required to be used, target animals and any boosters required.

D) A parasite control plan that specifies strategies and worming programmes, including target animals and any medicines to be used.

E) A biosecurity and infectious disease control policy for controlling the risks of incoming diseases and the isolation of any stock with infectious disease or diseases potentially communicable to man.

F) Procedures for the control and management of downer cows to minimise suffering and ensure proper welfare.

G) Procedures for the management of casualty animals including responsibilities and methods for humane emergency slaughter.

H) A protocol for the disposal of deadstock.

J) An effective procedure of identifying treated animals, which is known to all farm staff.

K) A procedure for the prevention of broken needles or other foreign bodies contaminating meat.

L) A protocol to ensure calves receive adequate colostrum as soon as possible after birth (within six hours).

 

• The herd health plan must be reviewed annually.

• The farm must maintain detailed records for the occurrence of all health and welfare conditions, including

• Lameness

• Mastitis

• Fertility, reproductive disorders and calving problems?

• Metabolic disorders

• Calf diseases

• Other diseases and conditions

SHOULD CRITERIA

• The herd health plan should be produced and reviewed in conjunction with a veterinary surgeon.

5.2 Biosecurity

MUST CRITERIA

• The farm must have biosecurity measures in place to minimise the risk of spread of disease within the farm and between other farms, in particular the availability of a DEFRA approved disinfectant and a means of undertaking cleaning and disinfecting of boots/clothing, vehicles and facilities if required.

5.3 Isolation & Disease Control

MUST CRITERIA

• Isolation facilities must be a separate building or part of a building with separated air space from the main accommodation, and not allow any direct contact with any other animal. [NB the facility need not be a dedicated building and may be used for other purposes in between its use for isolation)

• The isolation facility must have internal walls, which must have a washable internal finish to a height of at least two metres, or washable gates separated by at least three metres from the nearest permeable surface.

• The isolation facility must have adequate access for animals and veterinary attention, appropriate restraining facilities and artificial lighting available if needed.

• The isolation facility must be available within three hours of any need.

5.4 Medicines

MUST CRITERIA

• Detailed medicine records for all treatments and medicines administered, including those administered by a veterinary surgeon, must be maintained and kept available for a period of at least three years for all medicines, and for at least five years for Prescription Only Medicines (POM).

Medicine Records must include the following information:

• Identity of medicine or therapy
• Quantity of medicine or therapy
• Date of purchase
• Date of administration
• Name and address of supplier
• Identification of the animal or group of animals to which administered
• The number of animals treated
• Dates when meat and milk becomes fit for human consumption
• Name of person administering the medicine or therapy

It is strongly recommended that the following details also be recorded:

• Length of withdrawal periods for milk and meat
• Batch numbers of medicines used
• Expiry dates

• All medicines must be stored securely under lock and key with only medicines for immediate use available in the parlour.

• All medicines must be properly labelled in accordance with the legislative requirements, and used and stored according to the instructions.

• The prescribing veterinary surgeon must inform the administrator or animal keeper of the appropriate withdrawal periods, and all withdrawal periods must be observed.

• There must be an effective procedure of identifying treated animals that is known to all farm staff.

• All medicines must be authorised medicines, or those being used under the specific direction of a veterinary surgeon.

• Dogs and cats (where practical) must be wormed regularly.

• Sharps, any unused medicines and empty bottles/containers must be disposed of safely and in accordance with instructions from the supplier.

•  The farm must be registered with the British Cattle Movement Service.