Challenges and opportunities around making vet visits mandatory for sheep keepers in England was the subject of a National Sheep Association (NSA) webinar last week.

Attracting farmers and industry representatives, the webinar included a detailed presentation from Defra Vet Naomi Bull before NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker, Sheep Veterinary Society President Phillipa Page and Devon sheep farmer and Co-chair of the Sheep Pathway Group, Liz Griffiths joined the discussion.  

Known in the industry as ‘Mandating Pathway’, the consultation will evaluate whether the temporary subsidised vet visit farmers have had access to since 2023 and the subsequent endemic disease follow-up should be compulsory.

Farm businesses will continue to be able to access funding for a free annual review through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway until 2027. Defra is now consulting on whether this visit should be made mandatory, meaning the funding claim (£639 for sheep farms) will cease.

Farmers’ views are important to influence the route taken. What is decided must be practical and work on farm, which is why NSA arranged the webinar explaining what the consultation is about.

NSA has produced a useful guide for farmers wishing to complete the consultation that is now available on the NSA website. Visit www.nationalsheep.org.uk/our-work/news to view the guide. The NSA webinar is available to view here.

The consultation is available for completion on the Defra website here. It is open for 12 weeks, closing on Monday 18th May.