Royal Welsh Show 2014: Animal health drive rolled out by red meat body

A major drive to improve the health of beef herds and sheep flocks is to be rolled out in Wales.

Red meat levy body Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) has been awarded £820,000 from the Rural Development Plan to help livestock farmers meet the needs of their markets and improve animal health.

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Farmers will get guidance on how to avoid diseases and health issues such as lameness. The level of anthelmintic resistance on beef and sheep farms in Wales will also be examined.

HCC’s successful carcase selection training programmes for farmers, livestock markets and abattoirs will be extended too.

A key aspect of this will be support and training for abattoirs, with an emphasis on quality management procedures.

Speaking at the Royal Welsh Show on Monday (21 July), HCC’s industry development manager Sion Aron Jones, said: “The focus on quality management procedures will build on HCC engagement with the small- and medium-sized abattoir sector and involve further training, review and development of inplant systems to strengthen and enhance product quality and consistency.”