Livestock health and welfare strategy 2025 to 2030
This strategy aims to protect and improve the health and welfare of livestock in Scotland, building on the work carried out under the 2016 strategy. It sets out six overarching commitments, each supported by targeted actions.
Review of the previous strategy
The themes and actions of the Animal Health and Welfare (AHW) in Livestock 2016 to 2021 strategy were in effect rolled forwards to cover the period up to the end of 2024. This extension recognised the continuing efforts made during the intensely busy and prolonged EU Exit period, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and widespread avian influenza outbreaks during which government and operational partners’ resources were diverted.
We have conducted a review of the period 2016 to 2024, which shows that we have made good progress in keeping Scotland’s animals safe and protecting human health. We made strides forwards in further improving animal health and welfare and maintained and enhanced trade wherever possible.
The strategy review demonstrates important steps forward in the delivery of our Scottish Government’s animal health and welfare policies, which include:
- handling of the extended avian influenza outbreaks
- commencing pilot control schemes on endemic diseases
- completion of a multi-species livestock database and poultry registration systems
- establishment of the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
- introduction of mandatory closed-circuit television (CCTV) in abattoirs
- improved controls on importation of risk materials such as meat
The review and summary of work carried out under the previous AHW strategy are outlined in the Animal health and welfare in the livestock industry 2016 to 2024 – strategy review.
In this forward looking strategy we take lessons from the 2016 to 2024 strategy period. We also looked back to Great Britain’s first animal health and welfare strategy from 2004 to examine the extent to which problems have been addressed and look at what new opportunities and challenges have emerged.
The commitments and actions in this new strategy set a course for the future. In doing so, we encourage all parties with an interest in animal health and welfare in Scotland to continue making improvements.
Good livestock health and welfare contribute to our reputation for production of good food, it helps businesses thrive and benefits the environment through reduced greenhouse gas emissions intensity.
Contact
Email: animal.health@gov.scot