Deadline: Midnight, 18 May 2026
The government is currently consulting on proposals that could change how animal health and welfare is managed farms and Defra is asking for your views.
If your farm sheep, cattle or pigs, this consultation matters to you.
This is not a rubber-stamp exercise. It is a genuine consultation, and the outcome will be shaped by who responds.
What’s happening?
The Animal Health and Welfare (AH&W) Pathway was built by industry and government working together to support continuous improvement in farm animal health and welfare. Defra is now exploring whether participation in certain elements of the Pathway should become mandatory in the sheep, dairy, beef and pig sectors.
It asks questions about what could work in practice, what concerns you may have, and what ideas you’d like to see considered.
This consultation is your chance to influence:
- What measures might become compulsory
- How they would work in practice
- What support farmers would need
Your input can shape the outcome. Critically, no decisions have been made yet. Defra wants to hear from farmers, vets and others working in agriculture before anything is finalised.
Why your response matters
If farmers don’t respond, others will shape the future on your behalf.
Trade bodies will submit views, but they cannot replace your individual experience. Real, practical feedback from farmers is what carries weight. There is proof this works. Feedback from pig producers has already led to changes in PRRs testing under the current Pathway.
What you need to do
You don’t have to complete the whole consultation.
Just:
- Go to the sections relevant to your farm
- Answer the questions that matter to you
- Share your honest, practical views
Even a short response is valuable.
What’s relevant to you?
Sheep farmers
Focus on Animal Health & Welfare Review and flock health planning (including parasite control). A few broader questions at the end give you space to raise wider concerns.
Beef and dairy farmers
Key sections include the Review and proposals around BVD – covering herd status, eradication and biosecurity planning.
Pig farmers
Includes PRRS testing and status reporting. Previous farmer feedback has already improved these proposals – this is your chance to influence them further.
How to respond
The consultation is open until midnight, 18 May 2026.
Respond here: Animal Health and Welfare Pathway: Mandatory Proposals – Defra – Citizen Space