The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway for England: an update

The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway was introduced in 2023 as a consequence of changes to the model for state support for farming following the decision to leave the European Union. Vets have been at the heart of the design of the pathway and will remain core in the delivery, particularly in relation to the Annual Health and Welfare Review. The review provides an opportunity for the farmer and vet to discuss health and welfare issues specific to the farm and agree the most relevant actions. A fundamental principle of the pathway is that it should be for everybody, and should move the level of understanding, standard of biosecurity and health and welfare aspirations forward a step on every farm, regardless of the starting point.