Open consultation

Animal Health and Welfare Pathway: mandatory proposals

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 24 February 2026

Applies to England

Summary

Seeking views on proposed new measures to enhance livestock health and welfare for cattle, sheep and pigs in England.

This consultation is being held on another website.

This consultation closes at
11:59pm on 18 May 2026

Consultation description

We want to know what you think about proposed new measures to enhance livestock health and welfare in England.

We’re proposing a mandatory:

• annual Animal Health and Welfare Review (vet visit) for cattle, sheep and pigs
• annual flock health plan for sheep
• eradication programme for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) in cattle
• control and eradication programme for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in pigs

Published 24 February 2026