NOAH (National Office of Animal Health) is promoting the impact that vaccines have on sustainable farming, production and animal welfare through its Livestock Vaccination Guideline for on-farm use.
The guide, created by veterinary experts, draws on current clinical experience and research to educate and steer farmers and vets towards the most appropriate vaccination programmes to suit their livestock needs. Farmers and vets will then be able to ensure animals are protected from disease and farm productivity is not affected.
Dawn Howard, chief executive of NOAH, said: “It’s vital that we recognise that livestock vaccination is not just a recommended practice but a critical one, especially as the world faces new challenges such as emerging diseases, climate change, and changing demands. We must continue to promote the crucial role of livestock vaccination in ensuring a healthy and sustainable future for animals, farmers, and consumers alike.
The NOAH Livestock Vaccination Guideline aims to ensure that that we are harnessing one of the best tools for the prevention of disease and animal suffering by providing those who make decisions about animal health and vaccination across the industry and on the farm access to best practice guidance.
“This will not only help improve health and welfare on individual farms but also help raise health and welfare levels across the whole country, meaning UK farming will be better equipped to provide safe, high-quality and nutritious food, while also delivering the environmental benefits from healthier animals.
“Livestock vaccination can be complex, but provides huge benefits, not just for animal health and welfare, but also has a positive impact on food, economic and job security in the UK. Having the right tools, medicines and technology to provide adequate prevention, diagnostics, monitoring and treatment has never been more important. We must continue to promote the critical role of livestock vaccination in ensuring a healthy and sustainable future for animals, farmers, and consumers alike.
“As well as helping ensure the vaccines we have available today are used most effectively, NOAH members are working on pioneering new vaccines for existing diseases, including those which can help against disease that may develop in the future, benefiting not only animals, but also people.”
The NOAH Guideline supports UK animal health and welfare ambitions, food security and safety and advances the competitiveness of the produce from our livestock.
- Sign up to become a Livestock Vaccination Champion here.