DairyCo

Strategy puts cow welfare in the spotlight

Published 6 August 10

A ground-breaking vision for dairy cow welfare was launched yesterday which highlights the world-beating standards on British farms and identifies where the potential for further improvement exists.

The Dairy Cow Welfare strategy has been developed by the NFU in conjunction with the British Veterinary Association, DairyCo, Holstein UK, the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, the British Cattle Veterinary Association and the Cattle Health and Welfare Group.

The strategy includes a ten-point action plan, which outlines where improvements can be made in areas such as on-farm recording of health and welfare, mastitis management, lameness prevention and consumer PR and education. It also positions the dairy industry to act on the recommendations made by the Farm Animal Welfare Council last year.

Speaking ahead of the launch, NFU dairy board chairman Mansel Raymond said: "British dairy farmers already operate to world-leading animal welfare standards but there is always room for improvement. Farmers know that a healthy cow is a productive cow.

"Importantly, while the responsibility for dairy cow welfare fundamentally rests with dairy farmers, the whole supply chain benefits from good welfare standards on farm. This strategy is unique in setting a vision and an action plan for improving welfare where everyone is expected to play their part".

Mr Raymond added: "The launch of the strategy also follows increasing consumer interest and awareness in dairy farming and welfare issues. It is fair to say the industry does not always have the evidence base it needs to arm itself against negative allegations and this strategy is the first step in identifying any gaps in our knowledge and taking coordinated action to tackle them."

RSPCA deputy head of Farm Animal Science John Avizienius said: "The RSPCA supports the Dairy Cow Welfare Strategy. It is very encouraging to see the industry taking such a forward-thinking, coordinated approach to addressing some of the issues associated with modern dairy cow welfare."

Chief Veterinary Officer for England, Nigel Gibbens, said: "It's heartening to see that the dairy sector has taken the initiative to develop this ambitious strategy, which acts on some of the recommendations made in FAWC's Opinion of the Welfare of the Dairy Cow. The strategy recognises the hard work already done by British dairy farmers but also identifies areas where further improvements can be made, offering practical solutions, which the whole dairy supply chain can help achieve."

The ten points covered in the action plan are:

- increased on-farm recording of production, health and welfare traits, and use of aggregate data
- increased use of Mastitis management plans
- development of cattle mobility plan
- campaign on understanding infertility
- cow nutrition
- promoting welfare through farm assurance
- better use of breeding programmes 
- informing the consumer
- improved industry co-ordination
- preparation for the future.