Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework - Implementation Plan 2019-2020

The Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework - Implementation Plan 2019-2020 is a sub-national sectoral plan. Its main objectives are to continue to progress the recommendations in the Biosecurity Survey Results Report, advise on the way forward and oversee the implementation of these recommendations; commission a further survey to re-assess the level of understanding of biosecurity. Compare the results with the original 2015 survey to identify areas for improvement and advise on an action plan to address these and oversee its delivery; review the Cattle Keepers Handbook and produce a Sheep Keepers Handbook to promote key messages and good practice; ensure good biosecurity remains a core element of the animal health and welfare theme within Farming Connect and any other relevant overarching strategies; consider equine biosecurity as part of the overarching campaign on biosecurity, working with partners to establish and promote key messages; ensure biosecurity is considered in any proposals developed by the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group during 2019-20; to produce a voluntary Code of Practice for Animal Welfare Establishments (Sanctuaries) in Wales. The Animal Welfare Network Wales are also developing a voluntary code for racing greyhounds and for primatesand are revising the existing Welsh Government Code of Practice for the Welfare of Rabbits; to introduce a licensing scheme for MAEs in Wales, the implementation of which will have a lasting impact on the welfare of the animals used in such exhibits, and on the attitudes of future generations of animal owners in Wales; to liaise with Defra to ensure that scanning surveillance delivery in England and Wales detects significant risks to animal health and welfare, through the Scanning Surveillance Delivery Project; through the UK Surveillance Forum, work with other Administrations to provide an overview of the UK’s animal disease surveillance requirements, and to ensure they are delivered; to support the Animal Plant and Health Agency’s (APHA) Surveillance Engagement Project to raise the awareness of the importance and benefits of surveillance among livestock keepers and vets in Wales; to continue to collaborate with APHA on the continuing development of their Centre of Expertise in Carmarthen; and to work with APHA and Defra to ensure contracts for private sector contributions to scanning surveillance in Wales (post mortem examinations provision and carcase transport for post mortem examinations) build on past successes and deliver improvements for the future.