DAIRY STANDARDS REVIEW - CONSULTATION

The proposal is to strengthen the appendix relating to The Health Plan to ensure all aspects of The Plan are covered in the farm protocols and procedures.

The delivery of pain relief to livestock is common practice on the majority of farms and is an accepted part of responsible livestock husbandry procedures. The proposal is to create a new standard to require the delivery of pain relief when procedures are undertaken and for this to be documented in The Health Plan and recorded within the medicine records. 

It is well documented that an outbreak of disease can be devastating to     farmers and the whole industry. Red Tractor standards must keep up to date with industry initiatives on disease control, particularly in relation to endemic diseases such as Johnes Disease and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD). The proposal is to strengthen the standards by introducing new standards which will require farmers to show actions which not only determine their herd/animal status but also show how the farm is managing the risk from these two diseases. 

The use of antibiotics on farmed livestock is a topic regularly featured in the mainstream press. Red Tractor supports the industry alliance for Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA). The proposal is to strengthen the standard relating to the annual review of antibiotic usage undertaken by the vet, to focus on alternative disease prevention strategies which aim to reduce levels of disease and in turn the use of medicines. 

Records of medicine use is a legal requirement; Red Tractor standards aim to deliver safe, secure and responsible management of all medicines. The proposal is to strengthen the standards to include the recording of teat sealant. With selective dry cow therapy commonplace on farm it is important to record what each cow has had at drying off. 

Good animal husbandry practices are gaining in importance throughout the world. Best practice is an important aspect of running a successful dairy business. The proposal is to strengthen the standards to include a new measurement with regards to the use of cauterising paste on animals less than 1 week of age.

Red Tractor standards relating to young stock are designed to ensure that the needs of the calves in the system are met. Colostrum and milk-feeding practices are an essential component of successful calf rearing. The proposal is to strengthen the standards with a new requirement to ensure farms do not feed milk or colostrum from Johnes positive cows to young stock which may enter the breeding herd (dairy and beef).

Red Tractor standards aim to ensure the responsible and competent use of medicines and veterinary treatments. The proposal is to strengthen the standards by upgrading the current recommendation that one member of staff responsible for administering medicines has undertaken training to a full standard requirement. The proposal seeks to add a timeline to this training requirement. This is to ensure that the competent person is abreast of current industry challenges, particularly in regard to antimicrobial/antibiotic usage. 

 

Red Tractor standards aim to ensure that there are plans and procedures in place to ensure safe and legal food production. Sometimes there are serious incidents and emergency situations which could present a risk to food safety, animal welfare and environmental protection. The proposal seeks to strengthen the standards to ensure that the documented plan for effective management of such incidents is clearly available to anyone who may attend the farm. 

It is critically important that milk is produced in a safe and hygienic manner. Keeping the parlour clean and tidy is fundamental in achieving this. With a change to the Maximum Residue Level of Chlorates in milk it is important to be aware of the risk potential of residues within the parlour plant post cleaning. The proposal is to strengthen the standard to include that a detailed parlour plant cleaning protocol is displayed in all diaries/plant areas. 

In order to assist with the management of antibiotic failures and with the aim of reducing the number of reside failures, the proposal is to strengthen the standard to require all failures are reported to the vet. This is with a view to an improved management of risk and more timely action. 

Red Tractor standards ensure that all staff are trained and competent to carry out the activities they do. It is important that systems are in place to ensure these standards are maintained. The proposal seeks to strengthen the standard by merging the current standard and part of the recommendation for an annual document review. This is to ensure there is an audible point at assessment, and, to provide a clear framework for employee/worker review and progression aspirations.

As part of the standard review process there has been an examination of the recommendations detailed within the Dairy Standards. Subject to the proposed changes being ratified into the standard, and, in order to remove duplication, the proposal is to take out and/or revise a number of recommendations.