Animal Health and Welfare

Good health and welfare practice protects and improves livestock, and can control and eradicate disease.

Below you will find details of, and links to further information on:

• Notifiable Disease
• Biosecurity
• Disposal of Carcases and the National Fallen Stock Scheme
• Farmed Animal Welfare - On Farm
• Farmed Animal Welfare during Transport
• Reporting Welfare Complaints and Animal By-Products (Carcases)

Select this link to visit the Defra Introduction to Animal Health and Welfare website

Notifiable Disease

If you suspect that any animal is affected with a notifiable disease you should report the matter to the Divisional Veterinary Manager of Animal Health on 01772 861144.  Out of hours this number will refer you to a duty vet.

Select this link to take you to the DEFRA website for a list of diseases that are notifiable

Biosecurity

Good biosecurity is a vital part of keeping new disease away from animals.  It also helps to improve farm efficiency, protect neighbouring farms and the countryside.

Select this link to visit the DEFRA website for more information on biosecurity

Disposal of Carcases

It is no longer permitted to dispose of the carcases of farmed livestock by burial or burning.  They must be disposed of in an approved way.

Select this link to visit the DEFRA website for a Q&A document on disposal of carcases

Select this link to visit the DEFRA website for details of the National Fallen Stock Scheme

Farmed Animal Welfare - On Farm

Farmed livestock must be kept in accordance with legislation.  Defra Codes of Recommendation are available for each species. 

Further details can be found by selecting this link to visit the relevant section of the DEFRA website

Farmed Animal Welfare during Transport

All vehicles used to transport livestock must be:

• Suitable for the type of animal
• Constructed and maintained in a way that is not likely to cause injury or harm
• Cleaned and disinfected within 24 hours of unloading, or before animals are loaded into it again, whichever is the sooner   

For further details select this link to visit the relevant section of the DEFRA website

Welfare Complaints and Animal By-products (Carcases)

If you suspect that farmed animals may be diseased, abused, neglected, or otherwise suffering, the department's Animal Health and Welfare Inspectors will investigate all reported cases:

• Quickly and in confidence
• Within powers prescribed by law
• According to codes of practice for investigators and prosecutors   

In doing so we often work closely with the Animal Health (previously the State Veterinary Service) who provides expert veterinary opinion and may issue a notice requiring action to be taken.  There can be many reasons for failing to look after animals, and we do not necessarily resort to prosecution unless more supportive measures have failed.

We will also investigate reports of livestock animal carcases, and take appropriate action.

Please report any concerns you may have to the Animal Movement Section in the first instance.

Animal Movement Section, Trading Standards, County Offices, Kendal LA9 4RQ

Tel: 01539 713137   Fax: 01539 773146   Email: animalmovements@cumbriacc.gov.uk