Animal Health & Welfare NI

16/01/2026

To all cattle & sheep vets & farmers - Please click through to https://bit.ly/Ruminant-Roadmap to watch a one minute video of Mark Jelley, beef farmer & CAGG Chair as he explains why we would so much appreciate 10 minutes of your time to complete this important survey. Your answers will contribute to the creation of the roadmap which will outline exactly how we can demonstrate our responsible stewardship of antibiotics in the cattle and sheep sectors.

WE NEED YOU - Your participation is vital to ensure the roadmap delivers value back to the farm as well as protects both reputation and markets.

15/01/2026

📢BVD Programme Priorities for 2026 📢
https://tinyurl.com/2xcmyenb

15/01/2026

🚜 Get ready for Making Tax Digital – before it’s too late 🚜

New Making Tax Digital rules come into effect in April 2026, and many farmers and rural businesses will need to move to digital accounting software for the first time.

To help make the transition easier, we’re offering Digital Accounting Software Training, designed with the farming community in mind – practical, supportive and jargon-free.

🌱 Why sign up now?
• Get confident using digital accounting software
• Reduce stress and last-minute pressure
• Learn at a pace that works for you
• Get support from people who understand farming

Don’t wait until the rules change – prepare now and protect your peace of mind.

👉 Sign up today: https://forms.office.com/e/KCEqAfAiYF

19/12/2025

10/12/2025

Joint-cross-border-BVD-awareness-campaign-starts https://tinyurl.com/dw3wmw6e

01/12/2025

If you are impacted by the 20 kilometre Temporary Control Zone implemented following the suspected Bluetongue case at a holding near Bangor, Co Down, guidance is available at this DAERA webpage: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/bluetongue-situation-northern-ireland

27/11/2025

26/11/2025

🐑SHEEP SCAB INFORMATION EVENINGS🐑
Over the past week, AHWNI supported Sheep Scab information evenings kindly hosted by CAFRE. Dr. Stewart Burgess from the Moredun Research Institute spoke about his work with farmers to control sheep scab and also shared the latest findings on sheep scab. CAFRE advisers also gave practical advice on sheep dipping, including how even small-scale farmers can set up a safe and effective dipping system on farm.
Both evenings were highly informative, with important messages that every sheep farmer should hear.
If you weren’t able to attend in person, we would strongly encourage you to join the online webinar on Wednesday 26th November at 7.30pm: https://www.ufuni.org/event/sheep-scab-break-the-cycle/

25/11/2025

📢Farmers urged to check BVD statuses to avoid herd closures📢

Cattle farmers to check that all calves are tested promptly for BVD, to avoid herd closures by DAERA as new restrictions come in place on 1 December 2025. From that date and following 28 days’ notice by DAERA, movement restrictions to stop all moves in or out of a herd and any associated herds will be applied if there are 10 or more BVDUs more than 30 days of age present in the herd. https://tinyurl.com/bdewfcuy