Calf health applications ‘now being assessed’

Defra says it is assessing applications for its Calf Housing for Health and Welfare grant.

The grant – which funds calf housing buildings to improve health and welfare – closed at the end of November. In an update, Defra officials said applications from farmers were now being assessed.

Grants are a part of the government’s Animal Health and Welfare Pathway – helping to deliver agreed health and welfare priorities for the cattle sector.

The pathway is a partnership between Defra, farmers, vets and the wider industry, irt said. “The pathway is a critical part of the farming reforms set out in the Agricultural Transition Plan, delivering benefits for animal health and welfare, farm productivity, food security, public health, UK trade and the environment.”

As the Basic Payment Scheme is phased out, the government said it was reinvesting some of the money saved to support the production of healthier, higher welfare animals.

“We are providing incentives for farmers to go above the regulatory baseline and rewarding higher animal health and welfare on the farm. We are focusing on improvements which are valued by the public but not sufficiently delivered by the market.”