Signal 2023 Animal Health and Welfare Pathway funds farm biosecurity

Summary

The report presents the 2023 Animal Health and Welfare Pathway as part of the UK's response to animal disease. The scheme gives farmers financial help to strengthen biosecurity, manage endemic risks and eradicate bovine tuberculosis. Endemic diseases such as bovine tuberculosis are shown in the report to cost the UK government 70 million pounds every year. The report also explains that the Animal and Plant Health Agency published a UK-wide contingency plan for exotic animal diseases in 2021, and that Wales, Scotland and England each updated their own plans. It expects fewer diseased animals to make livestock production more efficient and to improve welfare, trade reputation and food security while reducing AMR.