UA12: Animal Health and Welfare
What is UA12?
UA12 requires working with your veterinary surgeon to establish an ongoing proactive approach to animal health and biosecurity. This Universal Action promotes high standards of animal health and welfare through preventative healthcare, focusing on early intervention, disease prevention, and continuous improvement in animal welfare standards.
What do I need to do?
Establish an ongoing relationship with a veterinary surgeon for proactive animal health planning
Develop and implement an Animal Health and Welfare Plan with veterinary input
Focus on preventative healthcare rather than reactive treatment
Review and update the plan annually with your veterinary surgeon
Implement biosecurity measures appropriate to your livestock enterprise
Complete by end of calendar year
Who needs to complete UA12?
All farmers with livestock must complete this Universal Action.
UA12 does not apply to arable or horticulture businesses with no livestock. If you only have another grazier's livestock on your land (but no livestock of your own), you are not required to complete UA12.
What evidence do I need?
Animal Health and Welfare Plan kept for 5 years
Evidence of veterinary involvement in plan development and review
Records of plan implementation and updates
Biosecurity measures documentation
Plan available for inspection if requested
Declaration of completion on RPW Online
How much does UA12 pay?
Payment for UA12 is included in the Universal Payment received for completing all applicable Universal Actions. Investment in animal health and welfare supports productivity, reduces treatment costs, and delivers welfare improvements.
Key components of the plan
Preventative healthcare:
Vaccination programmes appropriate to enterprise and local disease risks
Parasite management and monitoring strategies
Body condition scoring and nutritional management
Breeding management and reproductive health
Housing and environmental management
Biosecurity measures:
Quarantine procedures for incoming animals
Visitor and vehicle biosecurity protocols
Feed security and contamination prevention
Pest control and wildlife management
Equipment cleaning and disinfection procedures
How can I prepare?
Establish relationship with local veterinary practice if not already in place
Review current animal health practices and protocols
Consider existing vaccination and treatment records
Assess current biosecurity measures and potential improvements
Familiarise yourself with Animal Health and Welfare Plan templates
Benefits of UA12
For your farm:
Reduced disease incidence and treatment costs
Improved livestock productivity and performance
Enhanced welfare standards improving product quality
Better reproductive performance and breeding success
Reduced antibiotic usage through preventative approach
Enhanced farm reputation and market access
For the community:
Higher food safety and quality standards
Reduced antimicrobial resistance development
Enhanced public confidence in Welsh livestock products
Better environmental outcomes from healthier livestock systems
Contribution to national animal disease control programmes
Veterinary involvement
Work with qualified veterinary surgeon
Regular farm visits for health planning and monitoring
Professional assessment of disease risks and prevention strategies
Advice on latest developments in animal health management
Support with problem investigation and resolution
Compliance with professional veterinary standards
Integration with other actions
Links to UA3 Benchmarking:
Animal performance indicators
Health and productivity metrics
Comparative performance assessment
Links to UA4 CPD:
Animal health and welfare training opportunities
Updates on latest management techniques
Professional development in livestock management
Support available
Farming Connect animal health advisory services
CPD training counting towards UA4
Industry health schemes and programmes
Veterinary professional development support
Links to Optional Actions for enhanced animal welfare
Biosecurity focus areas
Quarantine management:
Isolation facilities for incoming livestock
Health testing and monitoring protocols
Gradual introduction procedures
Disease prevention:
Vaccination strategies tailored to local risks
Early detection and monitoring systems
Rapid response protocols for disease outbreaks
Environmental management:
Housing ventilation and air quality
Pasture management and rotation
Water quality and supply systems
Plan review and updates
Annual review with veterinary surgeon
Updates based on disease surveillance data
Adaptation to seasonal and cyclical risks
Integration of new technologies and techniques
Response to changes in enterprise or management systems
Quality assurance benefits
Enhanced traceability and record keeping
Improved compliance with welfare regulations
Better preparation for farm assurance scheme requirements
Demonstration of responsible livestock management
Support for premium market access opportunities
This proactive approach to animal health and welfare supports both farm business performance and public confidence in Welsh livestock production systems.
This information is provided by Farmwalk based on published government guidance. Always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK.