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New cattle health scheme launches
The CHeCS scheme complements the government’s 25-year plan to eradicate Bovine TB in England.


Scheme recognises farmers who set up biosecurity control measures

A new cattle health scheme to help farmers across England and Wales avoid the effects of bovine TB has launched in Bristol.


The CHeCS bTB Herd Accreditation is a voluntary scheme that evaluates risk and recognises farmers who set up biosecurity control measures.


Run by the Cattle Health Certification Standards (CHeCS), the scheme aims to improve a herd’s ‘score’ every year it is free from a bTB breakdown, awarding a status of 0-10.


It requires the herd vet and cattle owner to work together on following a host of biosecurity measures already implemented in other cattle disease control programmes.


Besides reducing infection risk, the CHeCS says the programme could benefit farmers selling cattle from regions with a high risk of TB, or those who wish to minimise exposure from bought-in animals.


It may also give recognition for a farmer’s efforts to complement government and industry strategies to control infection, they add.


Welcoming the scheme, farming minister George Eustice said: “We know some 40 per cent of herds in the high-risk area in England have never had a breakdown, and the CHeCS scheme will help them to communicate this so they can carry out risk-based trading to support their business.

“The scheme will also recognise those practising good biosecurity, which is a core part of our long-term plan to tackle bovine TB.”

Cabinet secretary, Lesley Griffith continued: “This industry-led initiative aimed at reducing TB is to be welcomed and fits in without principles of working in partnership and promoting the benefits of disease prevention.

“I urge Welsh farmers to engage with the scheme and reduce the risk of disease being introduced into their herd.”

The CHeCS scheme complements the government’s 25-year plan to eradicate Bovine TB in England.


Farmers wishing to take part are advised to discuss joining with their vet before contacting one of the participating CHeCS-accredited health schemes listed at www.checs.co.uk.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.