As the profitability and productivity of our livestock sector continues to be a priority for the livestock board, I wanted to share with you an update I gave to NFU Council this week.
It focuses on four key areas.
1. EPR
Firstly, we have been engaging with Defra’s air and water quality team ahead of an expected consultation on Environmental Permitting Regulations which could come this summer.
We are clear that beef farms should not be permitted.
Instead, the industry solution, led by the NFU, is a Farm Environment Plan which supports knowledge exchange and understanding of EA inspections, supported by supply chain and industry organisations.
We are convening a farming roundtable with processors in May to establish how we can deliver an industry solution as a better alternative to a £10,000 application fee and a £2000 per year Environment Agency permit.
“The board does not support a mandatory annual herd/flock health planning visit as described in the consultation. The economic, productivity and practical delivery case was not made sufficiently.”
NFU Livestock Board Chair David Barton on Defra's Animal Health and Welfare Pathway proposals
2. Animal Health and Welfare Pathway
Next on our priority list is the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway consultation.
The board does not support a mandatory annual herd/flock health planning visit as described in the consultation. The economic, productivity and practical delivery case was not made sufficiently.
Voluntary uptake remains low which does not make a strong enough case to move towards mandatory visits. Veterinary attestations and farm assurance ensure all livestock farmers engage with their vet at least annually.
The board did not agree with the minimum herd/flock (11 cattle/101 sheep) thresholds to participate in the proposal for a mandatory pathway visit.
Proposals to collect on farm production and health data were also rejected by the board. Defra’s case did not include any details about how data would be collected, by whom, how it would be transferred to the ‘database’ and how it would meet industry data sharing principles.
However the board did support a move towards Bovine Viral Diarrhoea eradication.
For more on this consultation, visit: GOV.UK | Animal Health and Welfare Pathway: Mandatory proposals.
3. Financial support for abattoirs
Thirdly, we’ve been working on the FSA consultation which included proposals to change the current discount scheme.
We’ve been clear that we support the principle of targeting support towards smaller abattoir businesses.
4. Financial impact from trail hunting
Finally, we will not be drawn into the debate on hunting. But we feel it is our duty to highlight the critical infrastructure needed to deliver casualty and fallen stock collection.
This is primarily an animal welfare and environmental issue but it has a strong financial impact on livestock producers..
If hunts ceased operating and farmers were required to rely entirely on commercial fallen stock collectors, the estimated annual cost would increase from £2.1 million to approximately £3.2 million per year, according to the British Hound Sports Association.
Despite all of these challenges there is plenty we should be proud of. Great British Beef Week (this week) is a superb opportunity to promote British beef and the work we all do. Find out how to get involved and please share positive stories and videos on social media.
Visit: AHDB | Great British Beef Week 2026 celebrates locally sourced British beef
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