From December, many farmers in Wales will require their vet to sign a veterinary declaration which certifies that animals have had regular (annual) biosecurity and health check visits from a vet.
From 13th December, a Veterinary Attestation Number (VAN) issued on the veterinary attestation certificate is required to accompany animals and animal by-products for export.
This new regulation will replace the current ‘farmer self-declaration’, which was a temporary solution and is not compliant with Official Veterinarian (OV) certification.
It is strongly advised that both farmers and veterinarians, have a signed copy of the declaration held with their records for future reference.
Obtaining a Veterinary Declaration is a requirement of the Export Health Certificate needed in order to export agricultural products, such as meat and animal by-products into the European Union. This extends to include some fifth quarters and, as such, affects many farms in Wales.
However, if you are a member of a farm assurance scheme such as FAWL, WLBP or Red Tractor, you are adequately covered as a result of scheme membership and do not need to take further action.
It is understood that an individual VAN for each CPH is required, and it is the VAN of the last holding that the animal was held on prior to slaughter, that will be required to follow the animal through market and/or directly to slaughter.
The advice to any farmers who are not currently members of a farm assurance scheme is to take action now to obtain a veterinary visit and signed declaration, including the VAN, for your records.