A Farmers Role
The dictionary definition of a farmer is to feed and look after livestock for food production and to treat animals to prevent disease (Alongside a list of MANY other jobs and roles!) This includes ensuring the welfare of their animals is at a high standard and ensures the animals needs are taken into account. By working with your vet we can ensure the following needs are met and your flock/herd are as happy and as healthy as can be.
The animal welfare act describes the minimal needs of an animal as the following:
- Its need for a suitable environment
- Its need for a suitable diet
- Its need to be able to exhibit normal behaviours
- Any need it has to be housed with, or apart from other animals
- Its need to be protected from pain and suffering, injury and disease.
Preventing an animal from undertaking any of the above needs is an offence. The animal welfare act has introduced tougher penalties for neglect and cruelty, including hefty fines, jail sentences and in some cases a lifetime ban on keeping animals.
