|
All the Latest News and Developments sent to you by email.
| | |
|
|
 |
Q and As – Explanatory Notes
Calf disbudding/dehorning
Disbudding is the preferred means of removing horns from cattle for welfare reasons. Dehorning of cattle over 5 month should only be used with involvement of a vet.
Social groupings
The age limits for keeping mixed groups of males and females have been reduced because processors have expressed concern that an unacceptable number of young pregnant females are being presented in Scottish abattoirs for slaughter.
Farm Dogs
This change simply makes clear how a member can demonstrate that they meet with the existing standard eg using the medicine book.
Livestock Health and Biosecurity Plan
An example of a health plan already appears in the animal medicine record book and is widely used as an aid to protecting stock from disease and planning the appropriate actions where necessary – other formats are equally acceptable. The recent experiences of Foot and Mouth Disease and the increasing risk from diseases such as TB present a real threat to producers. The Biosecurity plan is designed to allow producers to consider the various disease risks that exist on their farm and reflects what many farmers already do, the steps they choose to take, and the steps to be taken to minimise those threats. The Livestock Health and Biosecurity plan can be more useful with the input of a local vet or other advisor because they have access to the most recent information on disease threat in the area. Many farmers already have these plans in place and make use of them as a matter of routine. A proforma of the biosecurity plan is provided to assist those who wish to use it.
Sheep scab prevention
This standard was included at the request of the NFU Scotland to support the Scottish Sheep Scab Initiative.
Recycled biosolids
This change allows recycled biosolids to be used as a fertiliser as long as the ADAS Safe Sludge Matrix is used as it minimises any food safety risks.
Feed
Fish oil is now permitted for use with breeding stock following advice given by the SSS Feed Assurance Committee.
Feed Suppliers
In response to industry requests this standard has been changed to allow the trading of farm produced feed materials between SSSFA – Cattle and Sheep members rather than the supplier having to be a member of the Scottish Quality Cereals (or equivalent) scheme. Nutraceuticals have also been introduced into the standards in response to Nutraceutical industry requests in order to safeguard the well being of stock from possible sub-standard products which may cause toxicity problems. Professional advice is advisable when using mineral/trace element products to avoid the risk of cumulative toxicity eg copper poisoning.
Transport
This section was revised following requests from members who haul only their own stock. Sections 6.2 - 6.8 are applicable only to those who do not transport stock for hire and reward. For those who are undertaking their own haulage Animal Transport Certificates (ATC) are a legal requirement for journeys greater than 50km and/or with a vehicle over 3.7metres in length. Members who already complete a sheep movement licence or a movement document for an abattoir that complies with the ATC format require no additional paperwork. Due to the animal health implications of fume emissions, it is recommended that when purchasing a replacement lorry it should emit fumes from the bottom. Please note that this refers only to lorries not tractors eg fastracs, unimogs etc.
|
|
|
|
 |
