Animal health and welfare in the livestock industry: strategy 2016 to 2021

The strategy was produced following wide consultation, setting out the high-level aims of the Scottish Government for animal health and welfare in Scotland.


Annex C - List of Actions and Next Steps

Action Next Steps
Action 1: The Scottish Government will ensure the new Farm Advisory Service promotes advice on all aspects of animal health, welfare and legislative requirements Scottish Government will commit to this as an action, and will monitor delivery
Action 2: The Scottish Government with work with partners to review the effectiveness of communications on animal health and welfare and make recommendations as necessary. Scottish Government will commission research into effectiveness of existing channels in conveying animal health and welfare messages.
Action 3 The Scottish Government will ensure that the livestock and ancillary industries continue to have an opportunity to contribute to setting priorities for the research programme on a regular basis as well as on the commissioning of relevant one off research projects. Will consult with stakeholders over the coming months, including at General Stakeholder Meetings as appropriate.
Action 4: The Scottish Government will review its governance of APHA's activities in Scotland so as to ensure that Scottish Government delivers an effective service to the people of Scotland. The Scottish Government will continue discussions with Defra and the Welsh Government.
Action 5: The Scottish Government, in conjunction with partners, will review existing monitoring of wildlife and imports to ensure that they are effective. Scottish Government will convene meeting of appropriate organisations.
Action 6: The Scottish Government will use the best available evidence to initiate a discussion with stakeholders on the next stage of tackling endemic disease in Scotland. Scottish Government will identify existing controls and report to the Implementation Group.
Action 7: The Welfare Working Group will continue to make recommendations on how best to promote animal health and welfare, including suggestions for further research and voluntary initiatives. The Implementation Group will be asked to consider the Welfare Working Group's recommendations.
Action 8: The Scottish Government will seek to reduce Europe's regulatory burden in recognition of Scotland's good animal health record and disease-free status. Scottish Government will use output from Doing Better Initiative to Reduce Red Tape in Agriculture as basis for discussion with European Commission.
Action 9: The Scottish Government will work with APHA, local authorities and other partners to review the current approach to enforcing livestock health and welfare regulation, and will make proposals for improvements. The Scottish Government will prepare proposals for improving the current enforcement regime.
Action 10: The Scottish Government in conjunction with partners will review animal traceability with a view to strengthening and enhancing the current system of traceability to benefit health, welfare, meat quality and environmental gains along the entire supply chain. Scottish Government will commit to this continuing engagement and system developments
Action 11: The Scottish Government will continue to monitor the links between animal health and welfare, and wider societal and climatic concerns. Scottish Government will report regularly on developments. The Scottish Government will report regularly to the Implementation Group.
Action 12: An implementation group with strong stakeholder representation will be created to advise on how the actions outlined in this strategy are carried out, and on any adjustments required to adapt to changes in circumstances. Stakeholders will be invited to join the Implementation Group.

Scottish Government
March 2016

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