Corporate report

AHWBE activity report for 2023

Published 2 May 2025

Applies to England

Introduction from Jonathan Statham, Chair of the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England

Jonathan Statham, Chair of the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England.

Welcome to the latest Report for the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE). It is with great pleasure that we present an overview of the significant work delivered by the board over the past year. The board delivers a strategic role in matters of animal health and welfare of all kept animals, advising Minsters and senior officials. In this regard, a ‘One Health and One Welfare’ perspective has guided the work of the board in a sustainable context.

We were pleased to see the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway mark a significant milestone with the introduction of the Animal Health and Welfare Review, followed by the successful launch of small grants and the introduction of large grants for new calf housing. We established robust governance and monitoring structures to provide oversight and articulate accountability regarding the pathway’s effective implementation. The positive response from stakeholders emphasises the importance of our firm commitment to advancing animal health and welfare across England.

Our focus extended to areas such as dangerous dogs, tuberculosis (TB), and Avian Influenza, where the board provided operational advice and advocated for holistic approaches to address public safety concerns. One Health and medicines remain a priority. This included connecting cross-government groups to address vaccine supply but articulating the need for innovation in domestic medicines development and manufacture.

I am delighted to welcome Emily Cattell to the board, who joined us in August 2023 and will lead on evidence and analysis. Emily’s expertise and fresh perspective will undoubtedly enrich our collective efforts and she is inputting into the work of the board in seeking to establish the evidence base in the balance of animal welfare, food security and environmental impacts on sustainable and secure healthy food.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated board members, both non-executive and executive, for their unwavering support and invaluable contributions to shaping animal health and welfare policy as well as our hardworking secretariat team.

Jonathan Statham, Chair of the AHWBE.

About the board

Mandate

The AHWBE provides advice and constructive challenge to Defra’s ministers and their officials in the development and implementation of animal health and welfare strategy and policy.

The board will provide leadership, championing the ethos of partnership working between industry, animal keeping sectors and government. It will act as a focal point for communication and co-ordination across the various sectors of industry, ensuring broad, deep, two-way engagement.

The board will encourage and enable action by all animal keepers at individual and sectoral level to minimise threats to animal and public health and animal welfare, while maintaining competitiveness.

The board will continue to work collaboratively with policy and delivery teams across the Defra Group to achieve this. It will look at both policy development and its practical application, offering insight into which interventions or initiatives will be most effective in the different sectors.

This will be achieved by:

• clearly articulating the respective roles and responsibilities for animal keepers and government
• promoting producer-led action to reduce endemic disease, whereby businesses benefit from:
  • improved productivity and competitiveness
  • greater value in the food chain (given increasing premium on high health, low antibiotic use for example)
  • reduced risk of exotic diseases that have a disproportionate effect on all producers
• where action is government-led (for example, exotic disease response or risk mitigation):
  • encouraging policymakers to articulate how achievement of the required standards can be demonstrated – and being clear on what is required in order to access public funds
  • encouraging the use of incentives and rewards such as proportionate regulation and recognition, including the use of appropriate assurance
  • identifying opportunities to reduce overly prescriptive rules, leading to a clearer enforcement focus
  • adhering to the principles of better regulation
  • identifying clearly government’s role and responsibilities (for example, in relation to laboratory capability, surveillance and co-ordination)

Specific areas of focus

These are set out in the board strategy document, which can be seen in Annex A. The areas of focus are:

• support government development and signposting of a sound evidence base to measure and manage growth through balanced animal health, welfare and sustainable productivity within a wider ‘One Health’ approach for society over the next 3 to 5 years
• support government to deliver a new cross-cutting agenda by building connections to achieve a resilient, innovative balance between animal health and welfare, the environment, human health and food security
• control or eradicate key endemic, exotic and zoonotic disease of kept animals
• improve the skills, education and knowledge exchange of all animal keepers and stakeholders
• promote the traceability and authentication of biosecure food and all kept animals in international trade
• manage conflicts and threats to the vision of achieving the One Health and sustainability balance through animal health and welfare through providing a forum for leading consensus

These areas of focus will be reviewed regularly and will evolve over time.

Membership

For the period this report covers (2023), board membership consisted of the Chairman, 6 non-executive members, and increased executive members from 4 to 5.

Non-executive members 

Jonathan Statham MA VetMB DCHP FRCVS Chair

Jonathan has been a non-executive director on the AHWBE since 2017 and became the board Chair in October 2021. He is a qualified veterinarian and Chair at the Bishopton Veterinary Group in Yorkshire and has 28 years of experience of working with the farming industry.

He is also Chief Executive Officer at RAFT Solutions Ltd and a Professor of Sustainable Livestock Health and Welfare at Harper and Keele Veterinary School. Previously, Jonathan has been President of the British Cattle Veterinary Association and Yorkshire Veterinary Society. He has served on various representative and industry groups, including the GB Cattle Health and Welfare Group and Veterinary Policy Group of the British Veterinary Association.

Gwyn Jones

Gwyn has been a non-executive director of the AHWBE since 2017. He established his own farm business in West Sussex where he spent 35 years dairy farming. He has a long history with the National Farmers Union (NFU), serving as National Dairy Board Chairman for three consecutive terms (2004 to 2010) and Vice President (2010 to 2012). He was a main board member of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHBD), chairing the Dairy Board, the Volatility Forum and acting as a main board member with responsibility for competitiveness and benchmarking across all sectors.

He is also past Chairman of the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA), past Chairman of the Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations (COPA) Animal Health and Welfare Working Group, and Chair of the European Platform for Responsible Use of Medicines in Animals.

Peter Laurie

Peter has been Chief Executive of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home since January 2021.

He has worked at the charity since 2015 and has years of experience of working in the companion animal sector.

He was the Chief Executive of the Greyhound Trust until 2015 and the Deputy Director of Regulation for the Greyhound Board of Great Britain until 2011.

Peter is a Trustee and the Hon Secretary of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes. He is a former Trustee of the Petplan Charitable Trust, which funds advances in veterinary science and animal health, and a former founding Trustee and Vice Chair at the Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation.

John Reed

John is a small livestock farmer and a non-executive director of Avara Foods.

He brings extensive experience of agriculture to the board and has been involved with the Red Tractor Assurance Scheme for the last 20 years.

He has been involved in numerous industry and government committees, initiatives and reports on poultry and animal health and welfare, including the Radcliffe Cost and responsibility review and several Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC) reviews.

He has been involved with and represented the poultry meat industry for many years, including an 8-year term as Chairman of the British Poultry Council.

He is the co-founder and former chairman of the Poultry Health and Welfare Board and a member of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

James Russell

James is an independent veterinary consultant and an officer of the British Veterinary Association (BVA). His role at the BVA has allowed him to take positions as a member of the RUMA group and the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway Veterinary Group, Ruminant Health and Welfare Group and both Defra’s TB Partnership Group and the Welsh government’s TB EPI Group.

Red Tractor appointed James Russell as an Independent Director to the Assured Food Standards (AFS) board. He is also a SEMEX named veterinary surgeon where he is able to support farmer training.

Charles Sercombe

Charles is a first-generation sheep farmer involved in a wide variety of work in agriculture.

He has significant experience of chairing and contributing to a diverse range of boards and committees including Defra’s Animal Health and Welfare Pathway Steering Group, the Sheep breeders Round table, Sheep Health and Welfare Group and the Ruminant Health and Welfare Group.

He is also an independent farmer member on the NOAH Complaints Committee.

He has also been the Chair and member of several NFU boards, including the Livestock Board and a member of the NFU National Policy Board and Governance Board.

Julia Wrathall

Julia Wrathall is an applied animal welfare scientist and advocate with extensive experience of working with multiple stakeholders to achieve positive change. Julia worked for nearly 30 years in the RSPCA science team including as Head of Farm Animals and Chief Scientific Officer. Julia is now an independent animal welfare consultant.

Executive members

Gareth Baynham-Hughes

Gareth Baynham-Hughes became director for Animal and Plant Health and Welfare (APHW) in the summer 2019. The directorate covers a wide range of policy issues including exotic and endemic disease control, animal welfare, plant health, animal and plant health aspects of future farming as well as international trade in animals and animal products and plants.

Before joining APHW Gareth had been working in Defra to establish the Office for Environmental Protection under the planned Environment Bill. Before that, Gareth had worked as Deputy Director for Fuel Poverty in the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and as Programme Director for Electoral Registration in Constitution Group in the Cabinet Office. Gareth spent the first 10 years of his career working on various agriculture and fisheries policies in London and in the UK Permanent Representation in Brussels and also worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London.

Christine Middlemiss

Christine joined Defra as the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) in March 2018, having previously been CVO in New South Wales since August 2016. During her time there, she led major improvements to biosecurity across many farming sectors. She comes from a farming family in the south of Scotland, with a background in beef cattle and sheep.

Ele Brown

Ele Brown was appointed as the Deputy CVO responsible for domestic matters in March 2023. Ele graduated in 2005 from University of Cambridge Vet School and spent a number of years in mixed practice before going to study for her master’s at the Royal Veterinary College. As part of her role in Defra, she is the Deputy Director for the bovine TB programme and has held a seat on the bovine TB partnership since its formation.

Ele is also a keen advocate of her profession and outside of work she volunteers with Future Frontiers, a charity that supports children from inner city schools explore and plan for their career choices. 

David Holdsworth

David Holdsworth was appointed as the Chief Executive of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in July 2022. Before joining APHA as the Chief Executive, David was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the UK Intellectual Property Office. He has also had senior roles at the Charity Commission, the Home Office and spent five years in the private sector.

David is a fellow of the Institute of Directors and has been Chairman of the Liverpool city region branch. David is currently a non-remunerated board Trustee of the Council of Deans of Health – the voice of UK university faculties for nursing, midwifery and the allied health professions.

As Chief Executive of APHA, David is responsible for the delivery of the agency’s services and is the accounting officer for the budget.

Emily Cattell (joined August 2023)

Emily is the Deputy Director for Evidence and Analysis in the Animal and Plant Health Directorate. She has been a government social researcher for over 20 years in a number of government departments. Her background is primarily in policy-facing analysis and in policy appraisal, delivery, and evaluation and monitoring. In leadership roles she has led large, multi-disciplinary teams, and developed complex research and evaluation programmes to support policy and operational decision-making.

Emily is also Defra’s Chief Social Researcher, leading a community of around 90 professional social researchers.

Non-executive work portfolio

Each non-executive member is responsible for engaging with a defined portfolio of internal and external stakeholders. Within their portfolio, each board member was responsible for consideration of health and welfare, sustainability and environmental issues, and education and training.

All board members were also responsible for Animal Health and Welfare (AHW) Pathway and Group Liaison, including:

• Livestock Information Programme (LIP)
• Animal Welfare Committee (AWC)
• UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines Committee (UKGLE)
• TB Partnership

Julia Wrathall:

• welfare
• aquaculture
• sustainability and environment
• education and training

James Russell:

• vet liaison
• One Health
• outreach and communications

Gwyn Jones:

• bovine dairy and beef
• devolved administration liaison
• sector council chair

Peter Laurie:

• companion animals
• equines
• reports and communication

John Reed:

• poultry
• pigs
• trade

Charles Sercombe:

• sheep and goats
• contingency planning and exotic disease
• surveillance

Summary of board activity

The board meets quarterly in January, April, July and October. Outside their quarterly meetings, the board’s non-executive directors (NEDs) continue to meet regularly with ministers, Defra officials and stakeholder groups to progress specific programmes of work across their portfolios. The NEDs report on their work at each meeting as well as inputting into the development of board meeting agendas.

The board has engaged on a number of wide-ranging issues over the course of 2023 as outlined below.

Animal Health and Welfare (AHW) pathway

In 2023 the AWH pathway moved from a policy concept into operational delivery. In January the board reviewed the pathway’s evolving governance and programme management and agreed a quarterly reporting framework.

Reports throughout the year focused on progress to date against key pathway milestones, including a positive response to the introduction of Animal Health and Welfare Reviews in February. The first small grants window was launched from March to June and uptake was in line with projections. A calf housing grant scheme opened in September and applications exceeded expectations.

The board received updates on the development of a pathway data strategy. It was recognised that data was critical to measure changes in animal health and welfare on farms, evaluate the initial implementation of the Pathways and inform future policy development. Representatives of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (ADHB) joined the April meeting to update on their role in gathering data to support key strategic themes and programmes and discuss how existing data banks could support AHW Pathway evaluation.

In July, representatives from the Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture joined the meeting to discuss how training could be integrated and promoted within the pathway and other assurance schemes, and how training could be aligned with the grants programmes. The board also heard that the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) had launched a funding programme to drive collaborative research with a particular focus on endemic disease challenges in the livestock sector. The board was wholly supportive of work to develop an evidence base that could be used to inform and underpin initiatives within the pathway. It considered how research priorities could be aligned with those of the pathway and how research outcomes could be shared and implemented across sectors.

In October there was a focussed discussion on the role of the Pathway in contributing to the control and eradication of various endemic diseases, noting the importance of good biosecurity, connections with the next National Action Plan for Anti-microbial Resistance (AMR), links to policy development regarding exotic and zoonotic disease, and the wide-ranging benefits that would accompany a reduction in disease.

A Pathway Liaison Group had been established under the chairmanship of former board Non-Executive Stewart Houston CBE. This group was supporting Defra with Pathway communications and sector engagement. The board provided feedback on a stakeholder mapping exercise and proposed communications to promote the roll out of the Pathway. 

Whilst the AHW Pathway is only currently applicable to farms in England, the board also heard about initiatives in the devolved nations – Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – to improve animal health and welfare and environmental sustainability within farming sectors.

Trade and the new Border Target Operating Model

In April the government published a draft of its Border Target Operating Model. This proposed a new approach to security (applying to all imports), and sanitary and phytosanitary controls (applying to commercial imports of live animals, animal products, plants and plants products) at the UK Border. It sets out how controls will be simplified, digitised and, over time, delivered through the UK’s new Single Trade Window.

Representatives of the Biosecurity, Borders and Trade Programme within Defra joined the April board meeting to highlight the key proposals within the Model and seek the board’s feedback. With a potential exception for some high health equines, the Model proposed that all live animals commercially imported to the UK would be subject to ID, documentary and physical checks.

The board was pleased to note the scheduled stakeholder engagement programme providing opportunities for general and sector-specific discussion and feedback.

The final version of the Border Target Operating Model was published in October and included a risk-based approach to the imposition of checks and controls on imported goods. Live animals and germinal products had generally been categorised as ‘high risk’ and as such would be subject to maximum checks at the border. It was noted that risk categorisations would be reviewed approximately every three months. The board is mindful of the paramount importance of maintaining effective biosecurity controls and management of the risks of exotic disease incursions.

The board considered the infrastructure requirements to deliver checks on live animal imports and identified the importance of effective alignment between policy, infrastructure and operational delivery to ensure an effective model.

Vaccine supply, innovation and prioritisation in animal health

In April the board was pleased to welcome representatives from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), Office for Life Sciences and Department of Health and Social Care for a presentation and discussion on initiatives to increase the manufacture of human medicines in the UK through the Life Sciences Vision, and programmes to improve the long-term resilience of UK medicine supply. The board discussed opportunities to apply these initiatives to veterinary medicines too, noting in particular the requirement for uninterrupted supplies of key human and animal vaccines and medications to support the government’s Exotic Disease Contingency Plan. 

Building on these discussions, in July the VMD provided an update on current, known vaccine availability issues and the latest VMD initiatives to promote supply and build resilience. There was also an update on work to develop a BCG vaccine and BCG DIVA test to support the bovine tuberculosis eradication programme which was expanded on at the October meeting. The board is working to support further innovation in the vaccine field and in in the particular context of One Health.

One Health and medicines

In January the Chair of the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA), provided an overview of the work of RUMA since it was established in 1997. The Alliance continued to promote the One Health agenda and a conference was planned for later in the year.

Sales of antibiotics for use in food-producing animals had declined by 55% since 2014 with sharper falls in the sale of the highest priority, critically important antibiotics in the same period. The AHDB Medicine Hub, referenced later, was capturing valuable data, including to inform measures of antibiotic use in cattle and sheep.  

RUMA had recently established a Companion Animal and Equine Alliance, chaired by Gwyn Jones, and also attended by Peter Laurie, and this was developing targets and responsible use strategies.

The board reaffirmed its support for the work of RUMA. It highlighted the potential for the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, and the Vet Reviews in particular, to support RUMA’s work by advising farmers on responsible use and reducing demand for antibiotics and other medications.

In April the board discussed a series of initiatives to promote One Health and sustainability. A representative from VMD gave a presentation on the development of the Anti-microbial Resistance National Action Plan 2024-29.

The board heard about an event at Harper and Keele Veterinary School which had brought together interested parties across veterinary, human health and environmental disciplines to develop a research, education and influence agenda for One Health. It had been supported by Lord Benyon as minister with responsibility for Biosecurity and One Health.

The board also registered its increasing concerns about the One Health and zoonotic disease risks associated with the importation of companion animals from outside the British Isles. It considered how risks could be mitigated, including in the context of the new Border Target Operating Model.

Dangerous dogs

In the latter part of the year, government introduced a ban of the American Bully XL dog in England and Wales. The board heard from the policy team working to implement the necessary legislation to introduce a ban and provided advice in relation to various operational considerations and concerns.

Meanwhile, a collaborative responsible dog ownership project remained ongoing within the policy team and was focusing on improving awareness, supporting owners, improving enforcement of existing regulations and improving data capture. The board highlighted the importance of appropriate dog training and behaviour modification in the context of a wider holistic programme to promote responsible ownership and tackle public safety concerns. The board looked forward to learning more about this important work.

Veterinary capacity

In January the board received a presentation on a new Cross-government Veterinary Public Health Programme intended to increase the number of veterinarians working in public health through improved recruitment and retention. The board acknowledged the current challenges within veterinary capacity and was fully supportive of the principles of the Programme.

In July the board heard how Defra and the Department for Education have been working to develop options to increase government veterinary capacity and capability. The board welcomed this work and provided feedback on initial proposals, including plans to promote roles and opportunities.

Avian Influenza

In January the board thanked the Defra teams that were continuing to work extremely hard to minimise the impact of Avian Influenza at an operational level. The board also recognised the need to think about longer term solutions, including initiatives to promote and deliver improved biosecurity through the Farming and Countryside Programme, and the role of vaccination.

In July the board received an update on Avian Influenza cases in England and heard that H5 High Path Avian Influenza had become truly panzootic and was affecting poultry, captive and wild birds. The potential future role of vaccination to assist with control and reduce mortality was discussed although it was acknowledged that strict biosecurity and the use of Protection Zones remained essential. Board members remained engaged with the policy teams on the response plans for future outbreaks and to support relations between Defra, its agencies and the poultry industries.

Equine ID and the Equine Register

In April the board welcomed the Chair of the British Horse Council, plus the Chief Executive of Equine Register. They gave a presentation highlighting how a shift to a digital-first equine ID system in England could enable the provision of accurate, real-time equine data, and support improved disease monitoring and protection, enhanced welfare enforcement, heightened food security and an effective deterrent against equine theft and identity fraud.

The presentation also explored opportunities for electronic equine ID to provide biosecurity assurance that supports secure and low-friction international trade in low-risk equines. For example, high health equines could be identified from verified data to facilitate their movement through the UK Border. The board was supportive of proposals to introduce a digital equine ID system in England and was interested to understand the potential cross-species applicability of digital ID.

Animal Welfare

In July the board considered opportunities for hand-out Bills to deliver welfare legislative reform previously expected to be achieved through the Kept Animals Bill. The Companion Animal Policy Team also provided updates at various meetings on a range of ongoing work, including relating to:

• microchip database reform and the introduction of compulsory microchipping of cats
• progress of legislation to ban handheld electric shock collars
• the ongoing review of the Licensing of Activities involving Animals Regulations

Sector Councils

In January the board discussed how recent meetings of the Chairs of the Sector Councils had attracted a strong attendance and the board considered how the meetings might now evolve to enable fuller discussion around cross-cutting themes linked to the board’s Strategy. It was agreed important to avoid duplication between Sector Councils and Pathway groups. Board non-executive directors shared their feedback on the operation of the Council Chairs meetings and a further discussion at the October meeting reviewed the new terms and agreed an initial theme of skills and training.

Other business

Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill

In January the Defra Policy Team updated the board on the passage of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill through Parliament. It was noted that the Bill would apply to England only. A board Working Group would support the team on this issue. The Bill became the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act in March 2023.

Bovine TB

An update was provided on the government’s strategy to tackle bovine TB, noting that the prevalence of the disease was at the lowest level since 2010 and the rate of new cattle herds being infected had been on a downward trend since March 2018. Nevertheless, it was agreed important for all sources of the disease to continue to be tackled. Vaccination of both badgers and cattle was expected to support the path to eradication of bovine TB. 

The board considered how the synergies between the bovine TB Strategy and the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway might best be promoted and harnessed and the opportunities for both veterinary visits to farms and data capture from the Pathway to support and inform bovine TB control.

Food supply chain

In January and April, an update on the current food supply chain challenges, industry and cross-government interactions was welcomed by the board. 

Racing greyhound welfare

In April the board discussed the welfare of racing greyhounds in the context of a recent policy change by three major charities – RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Blue Cross – to seek a phased ban of greyhound racing. The board concluded that it was important for the industry to continue to make progress to improve welfare standards and to communicate and evidence this progress to enable an informed debate, including around the scope of the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations (2010).

Snake welfare

The board also heard an update from the Defra team on snake welfare which addressed differing views on the size of vivariums following a report from the AWC. The board suggested exploring options for how hobbyist keepers could be brought within the scope of current legislation.

Animal welfare enforcement

In July the board discussed ongoing work by Defra to improve the effectiveness of animal welfare enforcement. Following an assessment of previous reviews and engagement with Local Authorities, 23 recommendations had been identified. Key themes included:

• improved data
• collaborative working
• the introduction of new enforcement tools (such as penalty notices)

The board identified the importance of engaging with the National Animal Health and Welfare Panel.

Abbatoir Sector Group

Marisa Heath from the Abattoir Sector Group and officials from Defra discussed the importance from an animal welfare and food security perspective. An update was provided on the availability of Defra funding and the board discussed how this might be best targeted to slow or reverse the decline in the number of operational abattoirs in England.

Licensing of Activities Involving Animals (LAIA) Regulations

In October the board received a presentation summarising the findings of the recent five-year review of the Licensing of Activities Involving Animals (LAIA) Regulations. Board members provided feedback in relation to proposed actions to improve or reform the operation and effectiveness of the Regulations, areas for policy consideration, and areas for further monitoring and potential non-regulatory solutions. The board will remain in touch with the Policy Team as work to conclude the Review and determine next steps continues.

AHWBE away day

Members of the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England at the Centre for Dairy Research, University of Reading.

On 18 July, the board visited the Centre for Dairy Research (CEDAR) at the University of Reading. Board members heard from members of the CEDAR team on their latest research into welfare, health and sustainable food production and benefitted from a tour of the CEDAR applied dairy research facilities at Hall Farm.

The day also provided a valuable opportunity to discuss methods of assessing evidence and measuring animal welfare. This is important in the context of the board’s strategic objective to support government in the development and signposting of a sound evidence base with which to measure and manage growth through balanced animal health, welfare and sustainable productivity, within a wider One Health approach.

Linked and supporting meetings

The board’s Chair has a formal meeting twice a year with the Chairs of the TB Partnership Board, Animal Welfare Committee and the UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines Committee. This ensures that there is a good connection between Defra boards and Committees working on animal health and welfare.

The board’s Chair also meets with all four UK CVOs twice a year to ensure that there is a good co-ordination of operational work in particular in the animal health and welfare space.

The board also had significant involvement in the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway co-design groups. The board’s Chair provides leadership as chair to the Pathway Chairs Group (PCG) which brings together all the other co-design groups to ensure they are most effectively working towards the Pathway goals.

Sector Council

The chairs of the recognised Sector Councils meet formally under the oversight of the board twice a year to discuss challenges faced across sectors and share solutions. It is made up of 17 sector-led groups that are at the cutting edge of their industry challenges and progress in animal health and welfare.

Animal Health and Welfare Pathway

The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway (the Pathway) was launched in 2023. It supports continual improvement in farm animal health and welfare. The Pathway is a partnership – the government is working together on each step with farmers, vets, the wider industry and the supply chain. It 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.

External speakers at board meetings

The board is grateful to all the policy officials who have presented at the board meetings this year, and the following external stakeholders who have contributed to discussions:

• Abattoir Sector Group
• Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
• Department for Education (DFE)
• Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
• Equine Register
• Office for Life Sciences (OLS)
• The Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA)
• The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH)
• Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD)
• British Horse Council (BHC)

Non-executive director engagements

Outside their quarterly meetings, the board’s NEDs continue to meet regularly with ministers, Defra officials and stakeholder groups to advance a range of workstreams and initiatives across their portfolios.

Here are some examples.

Gwyn Jones

In 2023, Gwyn worked hard on exploring the concept of animal welfare and establishing unified standards. He focused on different aspects of health and welfare, such as endemic diseases, Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD), and developing long-term strategies. He collaborated with devolved administrations, including representatives from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, to learn from best practices and advance the campaign against BVD in England.

Gwyn also worked to advance uniform regulations within the UK regarding lamb tail docking and castration. His efforts will hopefully lead to regulatory changes in England and Wales, bringing farming practices within the law and under the same regulation as Scotland. He participated in meetings and workshops, including dairy meetings focused on sustainability and drafting a Dairy roadmap. He also contributed to workshops on BVD and greenhouse gas (GHG), which led to the launch of a farmer survey for BVD work.

Within the Defra Pathway program, Gwyn worked on small and large grants, mainly focusing on cattle housing specifications, payment by results work, and pain management in beef and dairy calves. He also played a pivotal role in appointing a Deputy Chair for the cattle group. He attended Pathway Chairs’ away days to enhance co-design between government and industry.

His efforts extended to meetings with industry stakeholders, such as Red Tractor, Welsh Lamb, and Beef, where discussions revolved around assurance and medicine collection. Gwyn also actively engaged with the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) and MSD Animal Health, UK, regarding vaccine availability and supply chain issues. He met with the Scottish Chief Veterinary Officer to discuss Scotland’s plans and welfare strategy.

Gwyn’s contribution includes a biosecurity project led by Marnie Brennan. Gwyn’s involvement extended to Edinburgh University, where he was invited to participate in blue-sky thinking projects related to BVD, digital diagnostics, and modelling. He also led the planning changes to the Terms of Reference for the Sector Council.

Peter Laurie

Companion animals

In 2023, Peter played an active role in engaging with the Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG) and the Companion Animal Sector Council (CASC) to advance health and welfare policy. He retained a particular focus on the One Health and One Welfare risks associated with the commercial importation of companion animals and co-organised with the CEO of APHA a key meeting with stakeholders, including the Animal Plant and Health Agency, Charity Commission, British Veterinary Association, CFSG, and RSPCA, to address issues related to importation and identify potential solutions. The meeting highlighted the importance of collaboration, raising public awareness of behaviour and disease (including zoonotic) risks, and concerns about non-profit organisations operating as commercial entities. As a result, a dedicated email address for intelligence sharing was established and shared across the sector.

Peter’s work has supported a range of policy and legislative development, and he has worked to address technical and operational challenges on matters ranging from penalty notices to the review of the Licensing of Activities Involving Animals Regulations to the ban on XL Bully dogs.

 Equine animals

In the equine sector, Peter engaged throughout the year with the British Horse Council (BHC) to support sector developments and identify opportunities and concerns. These discussions included issues surrounding the Border Target Operating Model and its practical implementation, especially concerning high-health horses and associated welfare and trade risks. Additionally, Peter visited the Port of Dover, Sevington BCP, commercial horse transporters and various stakeholders within the thoroughbred sector to understand existing industry practices and requirements. Two briefing papers summarising personal reflections and sector views were shared, leading to a new co-design process. Peter also highlighted the opportunities presented by a potential shift to a digital-first equine ID system, including to enhance traceability and biosecurity and support enforcement of various existing and forthcoming legislation.

Communications

Throughout the year, Peter published news bulletins on behalf of the AHWBE following each quarterly meeting of the board. These bulletins reached over 150 contacts and provided updates and information about the work of the board.

John Reed

John Reed has been actively engaged in various activities related to animal health and welfare, particularly focusing on Avian Influenza and the pig and poultry industry.

John attended fortnightly Avian Core Group meetings to stay informed about the ongoing Avian Influenza outbreak. He participated in pre-meetings and established the Avian Influenza Biosecurity Assessment task and finish group. John initiated a pilot program to assess different biosecurity systems, with trials scheduled for April. Collaborative efforts with Defra led to discussions on bringing Avian Influenza into the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, including proposals for biosecurity visits.

John chaired the Pathway Poultry Sector Group Meetings in July and September, focusing on prioritising small grants and exploring options for large grants for non-cage layer systems. He actively engaged in discussions related to Animal Welfare labelling proposals and held conversations within the poultry sector, addressing concerns and opposition.

John attended the Pig Core Group meeting in October, actively contributing to discussions surrounding pig to human influenza cases and emphasising the importance of effective public messaging. His participation in the Pig Health and Welfare Council meetings allowed him to keep abreast of pig industry issues, including concerns about border controls and SPS standards related to African Swine Fever.

In November, John attended the Poultry Health Welfare Group meeting, providing updates on Avian Influenza work and progress. Discussions included the assessment of salmonella as a problem and addressing Polish salmonella issues.

John actively collaborated with APHA, Defra and industry members to address tactical questions on Avian Influenza control and outbreak management. He attended Sector Council meetings and participated in discussions regarding Sector Council structures and functions. He attended workshops and meetings related to tail docking, providing insights into the ongoing conversations on tail versus non-tail docking practices.

John played a crucial role in the Animal Health and Welfare Grants and Payment By Results for Animal Welfare subgroup, contributing to discussions on co-design, sector groups, and processes for strengthening the industry. He actively participated in discussions regarding payment by results, focusing on proposals for non-tail docking in pigs and the Better Chicken Commitment for broilers.

James Russell

James actively participated in the discussions on the Animal Health Welfare Pathway (AHWP) during the London Vet Show Conference. He engaged with colleagues from the veterinary profession to discuss AHWP, veterinary capacity and surveillance. During an IVC farm vet meeting, he shared insights on AHWP and the devolved alternatives, helping dispel misconceptions and addressing challenges. James also participated in an antimicrobial resistance (AMR) webinar, demonstrating strong support for the RUMA initiative.

James attended various meetings and discussions to advocate for veterinary professionals and their roles. He participated in penalty notices workshops, focusing on ensuring fair and proportionate applications of penalty notices. James contributed to discussions on veterinary regulations, particularly around enabling veterinary technicians to perform more procedures.

James actively engaged in discussions on animal welfare, including topics such as welfare at slaughter, euthanasia of neonates, and disease readiness, emphasising the importance of addressing and constructively understanding the challenges associated with exotic and notifiable disease. This includes their implications for food security and the public’s perception of agriculture. He supported the veterinary profession in addressing the challenges surrounding euthanising healthy XL Bullies and dealing with public criticism.

James attended a parliamentary roundtable on food security, highlighting the role of vets in ensuring food security amid changing trade deals. He participated in discussions about attestations and the upcoming ban on remote-controlled electric shock collars. James contributed to ongoing conversations about the Real Welfare in Pigs and the transition of discussions to the Red Tractor framework.

James represented the AHWBE on the RUMA board, acting as an observer and supporting responsible medicine use. He actively participated in various meetings, including those related to veterinary education, Vet Techs, and welfare at slaughter.

James joined the UK One Health Coordination Group (UKOHCG) as an observer, promoting the concept of One Health. James attended the Animal Welfare Forum discussion day, addressing concerns about unsubstantiated claims regarding farming’s environmental impact. He participated in a day organised by ELANCO, emphasising cross-professional interactions in the One Health field.

Charles Sercombe

Charles Sercombe has been actively engaged in various crucial activities throughout 2023, contributing to the advancement of the sheep industry and addressing key issues.

Charles participated in discussions with the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group. The primary focus was on wormer treatment checks and their equivalence in the devolved nations. This engagement highlights his commitment to sustainable parasite control.

Charles attended a meeting at the House of Lords dedicated to addressing sheep scab issues. Discussions revolved around dipper prescriptions, a two-year project called ’flock’s sake,’ and the definition of clinical assessment by vets before prescribing Prescription Only Medicine -Veterinarian (POM-V) products. His involvement showcases his dedication to tackling sheep health concerns.

Charles participated in discussions within the Sheep Antibiotic Guardian Group regarding vaccine supply issues. The topics covered included vaccine availability and pack sizes. His engagement reflects his commitment to ensuring the availability of essential resources for sheep health.

Charles received updates from Welsh Lamb Beef Producers on their efforts to record data on antimicrobial usage. Vets play a crucial role in providing information to farmers, resulting in good compliance with data recording. This demonstrates his involvement in promoting responsible antimicrobial usage practices.

Charles actively participated in discussions within the Sheep Pathway Group. Topics included the details of the endemics program and the importance of flexibility at the farm level in collaboration with veterinarians. The group’s desire to include worming treatment checks in the endemic program reflects his commitment to improving industry practices.

Julia Wrathall

Julia actively participated in various activities to enhance communication and cooperation between the AHWBE and other stakeholders. Here’s a brief overview of her engagements.

Julia joined the Sector Council Chairs Meetings to facilitate effective liaison and communication between different Sector Councils and the board. The goal was to support their respective work areas, identify shared challenges, and streamline efforts. The meetings resulted in useful information exchange and collaborative actions to facilitate ongoing work plans.

In an effort to gather valuable insights and information on the latest developments in - and approaches to improving - animal welfare, Julia reached out to animal welfare non-governmental organisations and academics. This helped to gain an on-going understanding of relevant stakeholders’ positions and plans, contributing to informed policy and strategy development. This activity aimed to enable the AHWBE to remain informed about stakeholders’ views, priorities and upcoming activities in the animal welfare arena, as well as helping to ensure knowledge of latest relevant scientific research to help inform the board’s work.    

Julia actively contributed to AWC activities in her capacity as an AWC member, establishing contacts among the other committee members. Collaborations between the AWC and AHWBE Chairs were discussed to ensure effective communication and liaison on mutual focus areas while preserving the autonomy of both bodies.      

Julia participated in several workshops and conferences on animal welfare and sustainability. These events included discussions on topics such as precision breeding, the value of play and environmental enrichment in improving welfare, sustainability in higher welfare farming, and technology use for identifying welfare issues. Her participation was aimed at gathering information on the latest relevant scientific research, emerging concepts and innovations in animal welfare and sustainability to help inform the board’s work, while also expanding her network in relevant sectors.

Julia led the work on reinstating the board’s Animal Welfare Environmental and Sustainability Metrics Working Group, which aims to identify, analyse and facilitate effective use of welfare, environmental, and sustainability metrics in strategic decision-making. 

Julia led a board awayday session on approaches to undertaking effective animal welfare assessment, and how to identify - and assess the quality of - the evidence base used to inform welfare and environmental policies and strategies.

Annex A: AHWBE Vision and Strategy

Vision

Leading thinking on a new, inclusive cross-cutting ‘One Health’ balance that champions evidenced high standards of animal health, welfare and sustainable productivity across government and wider society.

Strategy and tactics 

1. Strategy: Support government development and signposting of a sound evidence base to measure and manage growth through balanced animal health, welfare and sustainable productivity within a wider ‘One Health’ approach for society over the next three to five years.

Tactic: Deliver a One Health approach – working effectively with medics to manage risks of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and zoonotic disease. Launch and deliver the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway for kept animals.

1. Strategy: Support government to deliver a new cross-cutting agenda by building connections to achieve a resilient, innovative balance between animal health and welfare, the environment, human health and food security.

Tactic: Measure and manage Environment and Climate Change with Food security, Animal Health and Welfare.

1. Strategy: Control or eradicate key endemic, exotic and zoonotic disease of kept animals.

Tactic: Launch and Deliver the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway for kept animals.

1. Strategy: Improve the skills, education and knowledge exchange of all animal keepers and stakeholders.

Tactic: Work with Department of Education and other organisations, to promote training on food security, health and welfare, including responsible pet ownership.

1. Strategy: Promote the traceability and authentication of biosecure food and all kept animals in international trade.

Tactic: Listening to consumers and markets to foster global markets and manage trade risks at borders using Electronic Identification (EID) and Livestock Information Service (LIS).

1. Strategy: Manage conflicts and threats to the vision of achieving the One Health and sustainability balance through Animal Health and Welfare through providing a forum for leading consensus.

Annex B: A-Z of issues discussed at board meetings

• Animal Health and Welfare Pathway
• Animal Welfare policy, including issues relating to racing greyhounds and snakes
• Animal Welfare enforcement and local authorities
• Avian Influenza
• Border Control and Trade
• Border Target Operating Model
• Bovine TB
• Companion animals: review of local authority licencing
• Dangerous Dogs and the ban on XL Bully dogs
• Endemic disease and research
• Equine identification
• Food security and supply chain resilience
• Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill
• Measurement of animal health and welfare and the role of data
• One Health
• Sector engagement through the Sector Councils
• Small abattoirs
• Skills and training
• Vaccine supply, innovation and prioritisation
• Veterinary capacity and capability
• Welfare in transport