Collecting suggestions for items that improve farm animal health and welfare

Species

 Priority

Description

Pigs

Reducing sow confinement during farrowing

We want to support producers in shifting toward less confined alternatives for the sow, whilst also ensuring the welfare of her piglets.  

Reducing stressors to keep tails intact

We want to support farmers in addressing the underlying causes of high stress levels in pigs which trigger tail biting, such as poor environmental enrichment, so that farmers can feel confident to not dock tails.  

Tackling Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRS)

Improving biosecurity can control PRRS which costs industry an estimated £52 million per annum and increases antibiotic use.   

Sheep

Improving lameness rates

Lameness is one of the most common signs of ill health and discomfort among sheep, affecting animal mobility, productivity and longevity.  

Better ewe sustainability

Ewes in optimum body condition are less susceptible to disease, produce better quality milk and can rear a greater number of healthier lambs.  

Pain management during castration and tail docking

We want to support the licensing and uptake of pain relief to reduce the pain of these procedures. 

Tailored health screening 

Addressing a range of endemic diseases, initially focusing on internal and external parasites (and associated anthelmintic resistance), mastitis, ‘iceberg’ diseases and those inducing abortion. 

Dairy cattle

Improving lameness rates

Reducing lameness to improve the health and welfare of cattle, increase productivity and decrease the environmental impacts of farming.   

Improving housing

Encouraging improvements in ventilation, cow comfort, loafing areas, and enrichments such as scratching brushes.

Improving the welfare of cattle at pasture

Improvements in shelter, drainage, gateways and tracks that support the normal behaviours associated with grazing and being outdoors.

Tackling Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD)

BVD is costly to the industry, raises greenhouse gas emissions from cattle and is a health and welfare concern.

Beef cattle

Improving housing

Encouraging improvements in ventilation, cow comfort, loafing areas, and enrichments such as scratching brushes.

Improving pain management during disbudding, dehorning and castration

Greater adoption of prolonged analgesia following these procedures will improve the welfare and performance of calves.

Improving the welfare of cattle at pasture

Improvements in shelter, drainage, gateways and tracks that support the normal behaviours associated with grazing and being outdoors.

Tackling Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD)

BVD is costly to the industry, raises greenhouse gas emissions from cattle and is a health and welfare concern.

Broilers

Implementing the Better Chicken Commitment

This requires slower-growing breeds, lower stocking densities and restrictions on thinning birds – these all contribute to improved health and welfare outcomes, such as fewer leg disorders.    

Adoption of welfare-improving technology

To support environmental and behavioural monitoring and better stockmanship. 

Laying hens

Transitioning out of cages

We want to support producers in shifting away from enriched cages. 

Improving feather cover management

We want to support farmers to address the underlying root causes of feather pecking, reducing the need for infra-red beak trimming.   

Improving keel bone health

To reduce laying hens’ susceptibly to painful fractures which can occur in all production systems.