Defra have this week confirmed plans for a Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, which will offer farms a chance to secure grants for items of equipment that improve animal health and welfare.

Farmers, including contractors to this sector, can apply for a grant between £1,000 and £25,000 - and the UK Government has published a specific list of welfare-friendly items for cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and other livestock that grants will be available for.

The RSPCA has welcomed the inclusion of equipment which will provide environmental enrichment to farm animals on the list of items available for a grant.

"Another step forward" for farm animal welfare

The launch of the fund follows campaigning from the RSPCA to ensure agricultural policy supports, incentivises and recognises farms delivering higher welfare standards, with the grants labelled "another step forward" by the animal welfare charity.

The news follows an announcement from Defra last year that confirmed post-Brexit farm payments in England would include a subsidy scheme incentivising farmers for improving the lives of farm animals across the country.

UK Government capital financial rewards for farmers are expected to incentivise all hens to be cage free and transition pigs to be kept in free-farrowing accommodation.

Dr Marc Cooper, head of the RSPCA's farm animals department, said: "These grants form part of a broader UK Government package that will help improve the lives of farm animals in England.

"Providing financial assistance to farmers to deliver higher welfare standards should help support the industry in meeting the UK Government's aspiration to become a world leader in farm animal welfare.

"The list of eligible equipment includes items the RSPCA suggested and supported for inclusion - including various items that will enrich the lives of farm animals.

"This welcome news marks more progress in the RSPCA's aim of seeing an agricultural policy landscape that encourages, promotes and rewards producers for providing a better life for the animals that feed our nation."

More information on the RSPCA's work to improve the welfare of farm animals can be found online. 

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit our website or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.