As the annual Dairy Show gets underway in Carmarthen, the Cabinet
Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, , is urging farmers to apply
for support through a new project to improve the health of herds
and boost the future sustainability of the dairy industry.
The new HerdAdvance project, which is being launched at the Dairy
Show, is part of the Welsh Government’s £6.5m Dairy Improvement
Programme, funded through the Rural Development Programme.
Support will be available for dairy farmers to improve the
performance of their business by better cattle health and
welfare, through working with their vet to deliver cattle health
action planning.
The new project, delivered by the Agricultural and Horticultural
Development Board (AHDB) Dairy, will provide financial and
technical assistance on herd health management and disease
control. With the UK leaving the European Union in five
months time, it will provide timely support, delivering
interventions to improve the profitability and performance
of the industry at a crucial time.
Dairy farmers are able to submit expression of interest in the
first window of applications until 30 November.
The Cabinet Secretary will today officially open the Dairy Show
and will tour the Showground. At the Show, the Cabinet
Secretary will also present the FUW’s annual ‘Outstanding
Contribution to the Welsh Dairy Industry’ and the NFU Cymru / NFU
Mutual Welsh ‘Dairy stockperson of the year’ awards.
The Cabinet Secretary said: “Brexit means we have the
opportunity to do things differently but there will also be many
challenges.
“As a Government, we are doing all we can to support the industry
prepare for Brexit and the challenges it will bring.
The need to prepare for a post-Brexit world has never been more
essential.
“Earlier this year I announced £6.5m for AHDB Dairy to deliver
our Dairy Improvement Programme, which aims to improve the
profitability, sustainability and resilience of the
industry. Today the first phase of the programme launches
and dairy farmers will now be able to apply for support to help
improve the health of their herds and the profitability of their
businesses.
“I encourage dairy farmers to make use of this invaluable support
and to submit their expressions of interest by 30 November.
“I look forward to opening this year’s dairy show and am
confident the dairy industry in Wales has a very bright
future.”
Welcoming the new HerdAdvance project, Professor Christianne
Glossop, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales said:
“Ensuring optimal animal health and welfare is key to the success
of livestock businesses, and is one of main goals of the Wales
Animal Health and Welfare Framework. AHDB’s initiative will
help dairy farmers and their vet embed cattle health planning in
the business. I would urge all dairy farmers in Wales to
consider, with their vet, whether they can make use of this
important new opportunity”.
