BACKGROUND
The dairy industry faces a range of risks including animal welfare, biosecurity, food safety, environment, biotechnology and sustainability. Animal health and welfare are priorities for the dairy industry and forms an important part of the MPO’s strategic goals.
The MPO is therefore continuously involved in promoting animal health, biosecurity and welfare on dairy farms in South Africa to the highest international standards through collaboration with private- and state veterinary services and other organisations involved in the industry. For many years, the MPO has been involved in research projects related to animal health, including foot-and-mouth disease, brucellosis, liver fluke, mastitis and sporidesmin-induced liver disease.
ANIMAL WELFARE MATTERS
Good animal welfare is internationally recognised as essential to sustainable livestock production.
Good welfare means animals are healthy, comfortable, well nourished, safe, able to express natural behaviour and free from unnecessary pain, fear and distress.
This requires appropriate shelter, management, nutrition, humane handling, transport and ultimately humane slaughter.
ANIMAL WELFARE MATTERS
Good animal welfare is internationally recognised as essential to sustainable livestock production.
Good welfare means animals are healthy, comfortable, well nourished, safe, able to express natural behaviour and free from unnessesary pain, fear and distress.
This requires appropriate shelter, management, nutrition, humane handling, transport and ultimately humane slaughter.
SETTING MEASURABLE WELFARE STANDARDS
The Dairy Standard Agency – with the assistance of MPO, SAMPRO and other stakeholders – has developed auditable criteria aligned with SANS 1694: The Welfare of Dairy Cattle.
These outcome-based criteria help dairy farmers identify risks, evaluate them and implement management practices that promote higher animal welfare.
Similar criteria are under development for animal health and biosecurity.
IDENTIFY
RISKS
Recognise potential animal health, biosecurity and welfare risks on the farm.
EVALUATE & MANAGE
Assess risks and implement appropriate management practices.
MEASURE IMPROVEMENT
Use measurable criteria to monitor animal health, biosecurity and welfare and drive corrective actions.
SETTING MEASURABLE WELFARE STANDARDS
The Dairy Standard Agency – with the assistance of MPO, SAMPRO and other stakeholders – has developed auditable criteria aligned with SANS 1694: The Welfare of Dairy Cattle.
These outcome-based criteria help dairy farmers identify risks, evaluate them and implement management practices that promote higher animal welfare.
Similar criteria are under development for animal health and biosecurity.
IDENTIFY
RISKS
Recognise potential animal health, biosecurity and welfare risks on the farm.
EVALUATE & MANAGE
Assess risks and implement appropriate management practices.
MEASURE IMPROVEMENT
Use measurable criteria to monitor animal health, biosecurity and welfare and drive corrective actions.
WHY DOCUMENTED HEALTH, BIOSECURITY AND WELFARE SYSTEMS MATTER
