Defra is seeking the views of producers and others involved in the supply of livestock equipment for views on the next round of the
The first round of the grant scheme was launched in March under the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, offering grants in England ranging from £1,000 to £25,000 towards the cost of items on a list. These items were chosen for their ability to improve the health and welfare of livestock and support our priorities.
“The first round received a high level of interest from a range of sectors. As we evaluate how things went and look to the next round of the grant, we’d like you to share your thoughts,” Defra says in its latest farming blog.
Farmers, suppliers, industry consultants and manufacturers are asked to provide feedback on two aspects of the grant:
- The specifications for items on the list
- The sectors eligible for the items
You can respond via a survey HERE, which will remain open until August 7.
Reviewing specifications
Each specification sets out the minimum criteria an item must satisfy to be eligible for funding. For example, it might list the minimum capacity for a water tank or the material of the tank.
“A clear specification is important because it ensures applicants understand exactly which pieces of equipment or technology are eligible for support. It also helps us to ensure that grants are targeted at high-quality items that deliver health and welfare benefits,” Defra added.
“For example, farrowing arks for pigs that are fully insulated with extra ventilation (pictured) better protect a sow and her piglets from extreme temperatures.”
The current specifications are included in the list of items that were eligible for the first round. You can let Defra know via the survey uf you think an aspect of the specifications should be changed.
The list of items currently includes some equipment available to all sectors and some only available to a specified sector. “It may be that some of these items could be useful to farmers from other sectors. As part of the survey, you can suggest changes to which sectors are eligible for items already on the list,” Defra stated.
“Carrying out regular evaluations of our grants helps us ensure they work well, so please share your views.”