Guidance

What to do after an animal health and welfare review

Find out what documentation you need after a review, so you can make a claim.

Applies to England

After the review: written report

You must ask the vet to give you a written report that gives:

  • all assessment and test results 
  • recommended actions

The report should be a specific report for this review. 

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will not ask to see the report.

After the review: vet summary

You must ask the vet to give you a summary of the review. The summary gives the information you need to make a claim. 

The summary must be a separate document. It can be a digital or paper version. When you claim, the RPA may ask to see it as evidence. 

It is not mandatory for you to read the vet guidance, but select the links below if you want to know more about:

You can also ask the vet to include a vet attestation number in the summary.

You’ll need this number if one or both of the following enter the food chain and may be exported to the EU:

  • livestock you produce

  • animal products derived from your livestock

Get help with your review

Contact the RPA and give your IAHW agreement number if you need help arranging or completing your review.

Rural Payments Agency

PO Box 352

Worksop

S80 9FG

Email: ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk

Telephone: 03000 200 301

Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm, except public holidays

Find out about call charges

Funding to improve animal health and welfare: guidance for farmers and vets

Updates to this page

Published 26 June 2025

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