Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Emerging Disease Welfare Preparedness

Emerging and re-emerging diseases pose welfare threats to cattle populations requiring preparedness planning and rapid response.

Key Facts

Bluetongue virus returned to northern Europe and reached the UK in 2023-2024
Foot and mouth disease remains endemic in parts of the world and represents a significant threat
Schmallenberg virus caused reproductive problems in UK cattle and sheep herds
Disease surveillance systems detect emerging threats before widespread population welfare impacts
Vaccination stockpile management and response plans reduce welfare impacts of disease incursions

Welfare Considerations

Emerging disease preparedness is a welfare investment that prevents catastrophic welfare events from becoming entrenched. The welfare cost of disease outbreaks falls predominantly on affected animals whose suffering surveillance and rapid response systems seek to prevent.

What You Can Do

Support investment in animal disease surveillance and rapid response infrastructure
Engage with disease preparedness consultations from Defra and veterinary organisations
Advocate for maintenance of vaccination stockpiles for key exotic disease threats